Cibrary  of 
iEbe  lluipcrsitu  of  north  Carolina 


KENAN    .MKMOKIAI.    COLLECTION 

I   N     \l   K  M  ()  H  Y     O  K 

WILLIAM  RAND   KENAN 

given    by    his   daughter 

MARY   LILY    KENAN     FLAGLER 


U'votod    to   the    History   of   til.-   South    in 
tlu-   Civil    NVjiv 


UNIVERSITY  OF  N.C.  AT  CHAPEL  HILL 


10000721569 


This  book  is  due  at  the  WALTER  R.  DAVIS  LIBRARY  on 
the  last  date  stamped  under  "Date  Due."  If  not  on  hold,  it  may 
be  renewed  by  bringing  it  to  the  library. 


oJjg                       RETURNED 

'jJJJJf                      RETURNED 

Form  No  513, 
Rev.  1/84 

I 

| 

Digitized  by  the  Internet  Archive 

in  2012  with  funding  from 

University  of  North  Carolina  at  Chapel  Hill 


http://archive.org/details/oneofjacksonsfoowors 


ONE  OF  JACKSON'S  FOOT  CAVALRY 


m 


m 


m 


1861 

He  carried  a  knapsack,  containing  a  jacket,  white  vest,  dress  shirts, 
collars,  white  gloves,  toothbrush,  undershirts,  drawers,  socks,  soap, 
towels,  needlecase,  with  needles,  thread  and  buttons;  an  oilcloth,  blanket, 
extra  shoes,  canteen,  haversack,  and  tin   cup. 


Frontispiece. 


ONE  OF  JACKSON'S 
FOOT  CAVALRY 

HIS  EXPERIENCE  AND  WHA  T HE  SAW 
DURING  THE  WAR  1861-1865 

Including  a  History  of  "F  Company,"  Richmond, 

Va.,  21st  Regiment  Virginia   Infantry, 

Second  Brigade,  Jackson's  Division, 

Second  Corps,  A.  N.  Va. 


by 
JOHN  H.  WORSHAM 

An  Old  F.,  Richmond,  Va. 


New  York 

THE  NEALE  PUBLISHING  COMPANY 

1912 


Copyright,  1912,  by 
The  Neale  Publishing  Company 


PREFACE 

In  writing  my  experience  and  what  I  saw  during  the 
war  as  one  of  Jackson's  "  foot  cavalry,"  it  is  not  my  in- 
tention to  make  a  comparison  of  commands,  but  simply 
to  state  what  was  seen  and  experienced  by  me.  When 
other  commands  are  mentioned,  it  is  done  to  give  their 
position  so  that  the  reader  may  the  better  understand  the 
situation;  and  when  I  have  a  word  of  praise  for  them, 
it  is  because  they  came  under  my  eye.  It  is  needless  to 
make  comparisons  between  different  commands  of  the 
Army  of  Northern  Virginia.  The  world  never  saw  such 
courage,  devotion,  and  patriotism  as  was  displayed  by 
the  men  of  that  army,  and  every  man  in  it  who  did  his 
duty  was  a  hero. 

J.  H.  W. 

Richmond,  Va., 
August,  191 2. 


CHAPTER 

I. 

II. 

III. 

IV. 

V. 

VI. 

VII. 

VIII. 

IX. 

X. 

XL 


XII. 
XIII. 
XIV 

XV. 


XVI. 
XVII. 


XVIII. 

XIX. 

XX. 


CONTENTS 

PAGE 

Commencement   of   Hostilities,    1861     ....     13 

Fredericksburg  and  Aquia   Creek 17 

Camp  Lee  and  Mustering  into   Service     .     .     .     29 
West     Virginia  —  Election     of      President     of 

Southern   Confederacy 39 

The  Valley  of  Virginia 53 

Bath   and   Romney 57 

Winchester  Evacuated,  1862 64 

Kernstown .66 

Retreat  from  Kernstown 71 

McDowell 'j'j 

The  Valley  Campaign  —  Front  Royal  —  Mid- 
dletown,  Winchester,  Cross  Keys  —  Port  Re- 
public     82 

The  Seven  Days  Campaign 97 

Cedar  Run 108 

Second   Manassas 118 

Maryland  Campaign,  Harper's  Ferry  —  Sharps- 
burg       136 

Fredericksburg 149 

Winter  Quarters,  1862-3  —  Picket  Duty  — 
Getting   the   Mail,   Medicines  —  Recruiting   a 

New  Company 155 

Lieutenant    General   Jackson 164 

WlLLIAMSPORT 167 

Camp  Montpelier,  The  Great  Religious  Revival, 
Review  of  Second  Corps,  The  Advance 
Against  Meade    . 176 


CHAPTER 

XXI. 
XXII. 


XXIII. 

XXIV. 

XXV. 

XXVI. 

XXVII. 

XXVIII. 

XXIX. 

XXX. 

XXXI. 

XXXII. 


XXXIII. 


XXXIV. 

XXXV 

XXXVI. 

XXXVII. 

XXXVIII. 


CONTENTS 

PAGE 

Payne's  Farm  and  Mine  Run 187 

Winter  1863-4.     Camp  Near  Mt.  Pisgah  Church, 
Execution     of     Three     Confederate     Soldiers, 

Rations,  The  Negro  Cooks 191 

The  Wilderness 200 

Spottsylvania    C.    II 208 

Hanover     Junction,     Bethesda     Church,     Cold 

Harbor 222 

Lynchburg 227 

Monocacy 235 

Washington,  D.  C 241 

Kernstown    Second   and   the   Enemy's    Cavalry 

at  Leetown 245 

Winchester  —  What  Brought  on  the  Battle     .  256 
Returns  of  Second  Army  Corps,  Aug.  31,  1864     .  269 
Cedar  Creek  —  Winter,  1864-5,  Second  Corps  Goes 
to  Petersburg,  The  Battle  of  Hatcher's  Run, 
Fort  Steadman,  The  Flag  of  the  21ST  Va.  Regt,  275 
The   Evacuation   of   Richmond   and   Lee's    Sur- 
render—  The   Arrival  of  the   First  Yankees 

in   Richmond 285 

Returning     Home 292 

The  Women  of  the   South 295 

General   Lee 299 

Record  of  F  Company,  Roster,  Killed,  Wounded, 

&c,  Battles,  Who  Surrendered  at  Appomattox  301 
Conclusion 340 


ILLUSTRATIONS 

1861 Frontispiece 

Captain    R.   Milton   Cary Facing  page    26 

1862 .76 

Captain    Richard   H.    Cunningham,    Jr 108 

Captain    William    H.    Morgan 116 

Captain    William    A.    Pegram 168 

1863 174 

1864 228 

Captain    Reuben    J.    Jordan 280 

1865 342 


I 

COMMENCEMENT  OF  HOSTILITIES l86l 

Soon  after  the  investment  of  Fort  Sumpter,  S.  C,  De- 
cember 20th,  i860,  a  military  spirit  prevailed  all  over 
Virginia.  All  the  old  volunteer  companies  were  filled  at 
once,  and  new  ones  were  organized,  and  when  the  State 
seceded,  a  large  portion  of  the  men  had  joined  some  of 
the  military  organizations.  I  joined  an  old  volunteer 
company.  It  was  known  as  "  F  Company  "  of  Rich- 
mond; one  of  the  crack  companies  of  that  day.  In  its 
ranks  were  some  of  the  best  men  of  the  city.  It  num- 
bered about  eighty  men.  New  members  were  added  so 
rapidly  that  it  soon  numbered  about  one  hundred  and 
fifty. 

This  company  had  a  fine  cadet  gray  uniform,  consist- 
ing of  a  frock  coat,  which  had  a  row  of  Virginia  fire-gilt 
buttons  on  its  front ;  around  the  cuff  of  the  sleeve,  a  band 
of  gold  braid  and  two  small  fire-gilt  buttons ;  on  the  collar 
the  same  gold  braid  so  arranged  that  it  looked  very  much 
like  the  mark  of  rank  for  a  first  lieutenant,  which  was 
afterwards  adopted  by  the  Confederacy.  The  pants  had 
a  black  stripe  about  one  and  a  quarter  inches  wide  along 
the  outer  seams.  The  cap  was  made  of  the  same  cadet 
gray  cloth,  trimmed  with  black  braid,  and  two  small  fire- 
gilt  buttons,  and  on  its  front  the  letter  F.  The  non-com- 
missioned officers  had  their  mark  of  rank  worked  on  the 
sleeves  of  their  coats  with  black  braid.  The  difference 
between  the  uniforms  of  the  officers  and  the  privates 
was  in  these  particulars :  the  officers'  coats  were  a  little 
longer  and  their  sleeves  were  highly  ornamented  with 


i4   ONE  OF  JACKSON'S  FOOT  CAVALRY 

gold  braid,  something  like  that  of  the  Confederate  uni- 
form;  they  had  gold  braid  down  the  outer  seams  of  their 
pants,  and  their  caps  were  trimmed  with  gold  braid. 
Each  sergeant  carried,  besides  his  gun,  a  sword  attached 
to  his  belt.  When  on  duty  every  man  was  required  to 
wear  white  gloves.  He  carried  in  his  knapsack  a  jacket 
made  of  cadet  gray  cloth.  We  had  black  cloth  overcoats, 
the  skirt  reaching  a  little  below  the  knee,  the  capes  a  little 
below  the  elbow,  and  the  buttons  were  Virginia  fire-gilt. 

Our  knapsacks  were  a  specialty;  they  were  imported 
from  Paris,  made  of  calfskin  tanned  with  hair  on,  the 
color  being  red  and  white,  the  skin  was  fitted  around  a 
box  frame.  Inside  they  were  divided  into  partitions; 
and  outside,  there  were  openings  into  some  of  these  so 
that  one  could  handle  articles  inside  of  them  without 
opening  the  whole  knapsack,  and  there  were  straps  on  the 
outside  for  blanket,  overcoat,  oilcloth  and  shoes,  and 
other  straps  and  some  hooks  handy  for  attaching  any  ar- 
ticle we  wished  to  carry.  We  also  imported  our  can- 
teens. 

For  a  week  or  two  before  the  State  seceded,  the  com- 
panies in  Richmond  were  drilling  men  nearly  all  the  time ; 
a  squad  of  green  men  at  one  hour,  another  squad  at  the 
next,  so  on  throughout  the  entire  day;  and  at  night  a 
company  drill.  Each  man  was  required  to  report  at  com- 
pany headquarters  once  during  the  day.  The  tolling  of 
the  fire  bells  was  the  signal  to  meet  at  the  companies' 
armories,  prepared  to  go  wherever  ordered. 

I  was  quietly  walking  home  from  church,  after  the 
morning  service  on  Sunday,  April  21,  1861,  when  the 
bells  commenced  to  toll.  I  broke  into  a  run  at  once,  go- 
ing home  as  fast  as  I  could.  I  put  on  my  uniform,  etc., 
and  was  soon  at  our  armory.     Here  it  was  rumored  that 


ONE  OF  JACKSON'S  FOOT  CAVALRY   15 

the  gunboat  Pawnee  was  coming  up  James  River,  with 
the  intention  of  capturing  or  bombarding  the  city.  As 
soon  as  all  the  men  reported,  the  company  was  formed 
and  marched  to  Wilton  on  James  River,  about  ten  miles 
below  the  city.  Passing  Rocketts,  the  port  of  Richmond, 
we  found  the  citizens  assembled  there  by  thousands ;  old 
men,  boys,  women,  girls,  women  with  babies  in  their 
arms,  in  fact  nearly  the  whole  population.  The  fields 
in  Rocketts,  as  well  as  the  wharves,  were  literally  alive 
with  human  beings,  commingled  with  horses  and  vehicles, 
as  some  had  ridden  down  in  buggies  and  carriages.  Some 
had  shotguns,  some  had  rifles,  some  pistols,  some  swords, 
some  canes,  and  some  had  made  large  piles  of  stones  on 
the  wharves,  to  use  against  the  enemy.  They  were  all 
determined  that  the  ship  should  never  get  to  the  wharf. 
It  makes  me  laugh  now,  after  my  experience  of  war,  to 
think  what  the  citizens  were  then  doing ! 

We  arrived  at  Wilton  about  sunset,  where  we  were 
joined  by  the  Richmond  Howitzers.  A  picket  from  F 
Company  was  established  along  the  river.  The  Howit- 
zers' guns  were  placed  in  position.  Orders  were  given  to 
fire  on  the  Pawnee  as  soon  as  she  came  within  shooting 
distance.  The  men  of  F  Company,  not  on  duty,  stacked 
arms,  and  were  ordered  to  remain  near  them  during  the 
night.  We  had  nothing  to  eat,  and  did  not  know  when  or 
where  we  would  get  anything.  One  of  our  officers,  how- 
ever, had  remained  behind,  and  about  eight  or  nine  o'clock 
that  night  came  up  with  a  wagon  loaded  with  cooked 
ham,  bread,  etc.,  and  we  had  a  jolly  time  over  our  sup- 
per, the  first  of  the  war.  After  eating,  the  men  gathered 
about  in  squads  talking ;  finally  lying  down  on  the  grassy 
ground  and  going  to  sleep ;  the  first  experience  of  the 
war,  and  that  without  either  blanket  or  oilcloth.     The 


16   ONE  OF  JACKSON'S  FOOT  CAVALRY 

night  passed  without  incident;  the  expected  Pawnee  did 
not  come.  The  next  day  we  returned  to  Richmond  on 
two  barges,  that  were  sent  down  the  river  for  us.  We 
won  a  great  deal  of  glory  in  this  campaign,  as  everyone 
thought  we  had  done  wonders.  In  marching  from  Rock- 
etts  up  Main  Street  to  our  quarters,  which  were  between 
Eighth  and  Ninth  Streets,  we  had  an  ovation  nearly  all 
the  way.     Thus  closed  the  "  Pawnee  War." 


II 

FREDERICKSBURG  AND  AQUIA  CREEK 

Virginia  was  thoroughly  aroused.  Soldiers  were 
coming  into  Richmond  from  all  directions,  the  streets 
were  filled  with  marching  men,  and  the  sound  of  the  drum 
was  heard  every  hour  of  the  day  and  night.  It  will  show 
the  enthusiasm  of  the  people  of  the  State  when  it  is  said 
that  four  weeks  after  Virginia  seceded,  eighty  thousand 
organized  soldiers  had  offered  their  services  in  defense 
of  the  cause ! 

On  the  morning  of  Wednesday,  April  24,  1861,  several 
telegrams  were  received  in  Richmond  announcing  that 
the  enemy  were  landing  at  Aquia  Creek,  the  terminus  of 
the  Richmond,  Fredericksburg  &  Potomac  R.  R.  Our 
company  and  the  Richmond  Light  Infantry  Blues 
were  ordered  at  once  to  that  place.  We  marched  to  the 
R.  F.  &  P.  R.  R.  depot,  then  on  Broad  Street,  corner 
of  Eighth  Street,  where  we  embarked  on  cars  for  the  seat 
of  war,  Aquia  Creek.  On  reaching  Fredericksburg,  we 
were  informed  that  the  Yankees  had  made  a  demonstra- 
tion at  Aquia  Creek,  but  did  not  land;  and  we  received 
orders  to  stop  there.  F  Company  debarked,  and  marched 
to  the  courthouse  and  camped  for  the  night.  A  load  of 
straw  was  sent  us,  which  we  spread  on  the  floor  and 
benches,  making  a  very  good  bed ;  and  citizens  invited 
us  to  their  homes  to  supper.  We  went  to  bed  that  night 
in  regular  military  order,  had  a  camp  guard,  lights  out 
by  taps,  etc.  Some  of  the  boys,  during  the  day,  had  pur- 
chased whistles,  tin  horns,  and  other  noisy  things,  and  as 

17 


i8   ONE  OF  JACKSON'S  FOOT  CAVALRY 

soon  as  lights  were  put  out,  the  fun  commenced :  One 
blew  a  horn,  another  in  a  distant  part  of  the  building 
answered  on  a  whistle.  This  went  on  for  a  few  minutes. 
When  the  officers  commanded  silence,  no  attention  was 
paid  to  them.  When  the  officers  said  to  the  sergeant, 
"  Arrest  those  men,"  the  sergeant  would  strike  a  light, 
and  go  where  he  thought  the  noise  originated ;  but  each 
man  looked  so  innocent  that  he  could  not  tell  who  it  was. 
By  this  time,  another  would  blow.  Soon  there  were 
four  sergeants,  running  here  and  there,  trying  to  catch 
the  delinquents.  This  was  kept  up  until  the  perpetrators 
became  tired,  not  one  being  detected. 

In  the  morning  we  were  supplied  with  breakfast  by  the 
citizens.  We  remained  in  the  town,  living  in  this  manner 
several  days.  Then  we  marched  to  the  Fair  Grounds, 
where  we  found  that  the  Blues  had  preceded  us.  Here 
we  went  regularly  into  camp,  which  was  called  Camp 
Mercer.  Our  company  was  assigned  to  the  sheds  of 
the  horse  department,  the  floors  were  covered  with  straw, 
and  three  men  were  assigned  to  a  stall. 

Camp  duty  began  at  once,  guard  mounting,  policing, 
drills,  etc.,  and  dress  parade  every  fair  evening,  most  of 
the  young  ladies  of  the  town  coming  out  to  witness  it; 
and  they  seemed  to  enjoy  it  as  much  as  we  did  their  pres- 
ence. The  men  formed  messes,  each  consisting  of  about 
ten  men,  each  employing  a  negro  man  as  cook,  and  we  got 
on  nicely,  as  we  thought.  The  regular  rations  were  is- 
sued to  us,  but  in  order  to  become  accustomed  by  degrees 
to  eating  them,  we  sent  the  cook  or  some  member  of  the 
mess  into  town,  to  get  such  articles  as  the  market  af- 
forded. 

The  following  are  the  names  of  the  members  of  F 
Company,  who  went  to  Fredericksburg: 


ONE  OF  JACKSON'S  FOOT  CAVALRY       19 


Captain,  R.  Milton  Cary. 
First  Lieut. — (Did  not  go.) 
Second  Lieut.,  Richard  H. 

Cunningham. 
Jr.  Second  Lieut.,  Phillip  A. 

Welford. 
First      Sergeant,      Edward 

Mayo. 
Second  Sergeant,  Henry  T. 

Miller. 


Third    Sergeant,    John    A. 

Pizzini. 
Fourth    Sergeant,    Edward 

G.  Rawlings. 
First  Corporal,  John  Tyler. 
Second    Corporal,    Thomas 

Ellett. 
Third  Corporal — (Did   not 

go.) 
Fourth     Corporal — Shirley 
King. 


Privates 


Anderson,  Archer. 
Anderson,  Junius  H. 
Anderson,  Henry  V. 
Archer,  William  S. 
Ayers,  Edward  W. 
Barker,  William  C. 
Baughman,  Charles  C. 
Baughman,  George   C. 
Baughman,  Greer  H. 
Beers,  Henry  H. 
Binford,  James  M. 
Binford,  Robert  E. 
Blunt,  Ira  W. 
Bridges,  Jr.,  David  B. 
Bridges,  Richard  M. 
Broch,  R.  Alonzo. 
Bullington,  Henry  N. 
Cabell,  J.  Caskie. 
Child,  Jesse. 

Chamberlain,  J.  Hampden. 
Chapman,  Isaac  W. 
Clarke,  Maxwell  T. 
Clopton,  Dr.  John. 


Cocke,  Lorenzo  G. 
Cole,  Addison  C. 
Cowardin,  John  L. 
Craig,  John  A. 
Danforth,  Henry  D. 
Dill,  Jr.,  Adolph. 
Doggett,  Francis  W. 
Ellerson,  Jock  H. 
Ellett,  Robert. 
Etting,  Samuel  M. 
Exall,  Charles  H. 
Exall,  William. 
Field,  William  G. 
Fontaine,  R.  Morris. 
Gentry,  John  W. 
Gibson,  William  T. 
Gilliam,  Robert  H. 
Gray,  W.  Granville. 
Gray,   Somerville. 
Green,  John  W. 
Green,  Thomas  R. 
Harrison,  Thomas  R. 
Harvie,  William  O. 


2o   ONE  OF  JACKSON'S  FOOT  CAVALRY 


Haynes,  George  A. 
Henry,  Dr.  Patrick. 
Hobson,  Deane. 
Hudgins,   Malcolm  L. 
Hull,  Irving. 
Jenkins,  William  S. 
Jones,  David  B. 
Jones,  Jr.,  Phillip  B. 
Jordan,  Reuben  J. 
Kellogg,  Timothy  H. 
Lindsay,  Roswell  S. 

Lorentz, . 

Macmurdo,    Richard    C. 
Maddox,  R.  G. 
Mayo,  Joseph  E. 
McEvoy,  Charles  A. 
Meade,  Everard  B. 
Mebane,  J.  A. 
Meredith,  J.  French. 
Mitchell,  Samuel  D. 
Mittledorfer,   Charles. 
Morris,  Walter  FI.  P. 
Mountcastle,  John  R. 
Norwood,  Jr.,  William. 
Nunnally,   Joseph   N. 
Pace,  George  R. 
Pace,  Theodore  A. 
Page,   Mann. 
Pardigon,  C.  F. 
Payne,  James  B. 
Peaster,  Henry. 
Pegram,  William  A. 
Pegram,  William  R.  J. 
Peterkin,  George  W. 
Picot,  Henry  V. 
Piet,  William  A. 


Pollard,  William  G. 
Powell,  John  G. 
Powell,  John  W. 
Price,  Channing  R. 
Randolph,  J.  Tucker. 
Randolph,  M.  Lewis. 
Redd,  Clarence  M. 
Reeve,  David  I.  B. 
Reeve,  John  J. 
Rennie,  G.  Hutcheson. 
Rison,  John  W. 
Robertson,  William  S. 
Robinson,  Christopher  A. 
Robinson,  Richard  F. 
Singleton,  A.  Jackson. 
Sizer,   Milton  D. 
Skinker,  Charles  R. 
Smith,  Edward  H. 
Sublett,  Peter  A. 
Tabb,  Robert  M. 
Talley,  Daniel  D. 
Tatum,  A.  Randolph. 
Tatum,  Vivian  H. 
Taylor,  Charles  E. 
Taylor,  Clarence  E. 
Taylor,  Edward  B. 
Taylor,  Robert  T. 
Tompkins,  Edmond  G. 
Tyler,  James   E. 
Tyler,  R.  Emmett. 
Van  Buren,  Benjamin  B. 
Waldrop,  Richard  W. 
Watkins,  A.  Salle. 
Watkins,   Harrison  H. 
White,  Robert  C. 
Willis,  Joseph  N. 


ONE  OF  JACKSON'S  FOOT  CAVALRY   21 

Worsham,  John  H.  Surgeon,    Frank    B.    Cun- 

Worsham,  Thomas  R.  ningham. 

Wren,  J.  Porter.  Assistant     Surgeon,     Peter 

Wright,  Phillip  B.  Lyon. 

Zimmer,   Lewis. 


A  few  of  these  men  joined  us  after  we  went  to  Fred- 
ericksburg, and  some  left  us  to  join  other  commands, 
after  staying  with  us  two  or  three  weeks.  Samuel  F. 
Pilcher  was  left  in  Richmond  to  drill  men  for  a  second 
company,  and  on  account  of  sickness  never  came  to  the 
command. 

While  in  Camp  Mercer  we  were  joined  by  a  company 
of  infantry,  one  of  cavalry,  and  the  Purcell  Battery  of 
Artillery  from  Richmond.  W.  R.  J.  Pegram  of  F  Com- 
pany (Specks,  as  he  was  called)  helped  Captain  Lindsay 
Walker  to  drill  this  battery,  and  was  soon  made  a  lieu- 
tenant ;  this  is  the  same  W.  R.  J.  Pegram  of  the  artillery, 
who  was  soon  known  in  the  army  of  Northern  Virginia 
as  the  fighting  captain,  major,  lieutenant  colonel,  and 
colonel,  and  was  killed  at  Five  Forks  in  1865. 

I  saw  the  first  man  of  the  war  punished  for  disobedi- 
ence of  orders,  while  we  were  in  this  camp;  he  was  a  mem- 
ber of  Walker's  battery,  and  was  strapped  on  one  of  the 
wheels  of  a  cannon  in  such  a  manner  as  to  keep  him  from 
moving.  This  punishment  is  known  as  "  strapping  to 
the  wheel."  We  were  treated  most  hospitably  by  the 
citizens  of  Fredericksburg,  some  of  us  visiting  the  city 
each  day ;  and  were  always  welcomed  and  invited  to 
meals,  and  we  left  with  sad  hearts.  This  was  the  most 
comfortable  camp  we  had  during  the  w7ar,  but  at  that  time 
we  thought  it  was  execrable. 

We  stayed  at  Fredericksburg  about  three  weeks,  and 


22   ONE  OF  JACKSON'S  FOOT  CAVALRY 

were  ordered  to  Aquia  Creek.  We  camped  in  a  house 
at  Game  Point,  situated  on  a  high  hill  to  the  left  of  the 
Richmond,  Fredericksburg  &  Potomac  R.  R.,  and  about 
three-quarters  of  a  mile  from  Aquia  Creek.  The  R.  L. 
I.  Blues  also  went  to  Aquia  Creek  and  camped  lower 
down  the  river,  about  one  and  a  half  miles  from  us. 

The  cook  of  my  mess  would  not  leave  Fredericksburg, 
and  at  Game  Point  we  determined  to  cook  for  ourselves. 
I  will  never  forget  the  first  meal.  We  made  a  fire  under 
the  shade  of  a  tree,  made  up  our  bread  of  meal  (the 
government  commenced  to  give  it  to  us  thus  early), 
sliced  our  fat  meat,  and  commenced  to  cook,  and  in  about 
two  minutes  both  meat  and  bread  were  burned  black  on 
one  side !  We  took  them  off  the  fire,  cooled  them,  and 
tried  again,  and  succeeded  very  well  in  burning  the  other 
side.  We  finally  cooked  everything  we  had  and  sat  down 
on  the  ground  to  eat.  The  bread  had  no  salt  in  it,  no 
one  had  thought  of  that;  the  meat  was  so  salt  we  could 
not  eat  it.  We  were  disgusted,  but  the  next  day  we  had 
better  success,  and  in  a  few  days  we  got  along  all  right. 

We  had  a  camp  guard  and  two  picket  posts  or  rather 
lookout  posts,  as  the  duties  at  each  was  to  watch  the  river 
for  the  enemy.  While  I  was  on  guard  at  our  quarters, 
one  night  General  Ruggles,  the  commanding  officer  of 
this  department,  paid  us  a  visit.  I  presented  arms  as 
soon  as  I  saw  him,  and  turned  out  the  guard,  thinking 
to  do  him  all  the  honor  we  could.  I  was  horrified  when 
a  non-commissioned  officer  slipped  up  to  me  and  told  me 
such  honor  was  not  done  after  dark. 

PRAYER    IN    CAMP 

The  following  letter  was  written  while  we  were  in  this 
camp  and  explains  itself : 


ONE  OF  JACKSON'S  FOOT  CAVALRY   23 

George  W .  Peterkin,  Esq,: 

Dear  Sir — We,  the  undersigned  comrades  in  arms  with 
yourself,  have  been  struck  with  the  propriety  of  evening 
prayer,  and  desire,  if  agreeable  to  you,  that  you,  from  this 
time,  and  so  long  as  we  may  remain  together,  conduct  that 
service. 

Respectfully, 


J.  M.  Binford, 
R.  E.  Binford, 
John  W.  Powell, 
J.  P.  Wren, 
R.  T.  Taylor, 

C.  R.  Skinker, 
Jesse  Child, 
William  Exall, 
J.  A.  Mebane, 

D.  D.  Talley, 
R.  M.  Bridges, 
John  Tyler, 

D.  J.  Burr  Reeve, 

John  J.  Reeve, 

R.  E. "Tyler. 

Joseph  N.  Nunnally, 

C.  M.  Redd, 

H.  D.  Danforth, 

W.  Granville  Gray, 

George  A.  Haynes, 

G.  R.  Pace, 

John  R.  Macmurdo, 

S.  D.  Mitchell, 

John  H.  Chamberlayne, 

Robert  Ellett, 

R.  C.  Wrhite. 

Shirley   King, 


A.  C.  Cole, 
H.  H.  Watkins, 
Dean  Hobson, 
R.   S.  Lindsay, 
W.  S.  Archer, 
Thomas    Ellett, 
J.  H.  Ellerson, 
J.  W.  Chapman, 
William  A.  Piet, 

C.  H.  Exall, 
A.  R.  Tatum, 
S.  M.  Etting, 
John  A.  Pizzini, 
Edward   Mayo, 
E.  G.  Tompkins, 
Louis  Zimmer, 

D.  B.  Jones, 
H.  H.  Beers, 
R.  Milton  Cary, 
P.  A.  Wellford, 
H.  N.  Bullington, 

E.  H.  Smith, 
William  C.  Barker, 
M.  H.  Clarke, 

E.  G.  Rawlings, 
E.  W.  Ayres, 
and  others. 


24   ONE  OF  JACKSON'S  FOOT  CAVALRY 

This  gallant  young  soldier  and  truly  good  man  con- 
ducted the  service  each  night,  and  by  his  Christian  exam- 
ple won  the  respect  and  affection  of  every  member  of 
the  company;  and  when  he  left  us  in  1862,  to  take  a  staff 
appointment,  it  was  like  breaking  up  a  household. 

This  is  the  same  George  W.  Peterkin  who  has  for  a 
number  of  years  been  the  honored  and  respected  Bishop 
of  West  Virginia. 

On  May  29th,  1861,  we  had  our  first  experience  of 
war.  One  of  the  enemy's  gunboats  stopped  off  Aquia 
Creek,  fired  a  few  shots  and  left.  On  June  7,  three  gun- 
boats made  their  appearance  and  commenced  to  bom- 
bard the  earthworks  near  the  wharf.  Capt.  Walker  put 
some  of  his  small  three-inch  rifle  cannon  into  the  works, 
and  replied,  the  enemy  throwing  six,  eight,  and  ten  inch 
shots  at  Walker.  This  firing  lasted  several  hours,  when 
the  enemy  withdrew  about  two  or  three  miles  down  the 
river,  staying  all  night,  and  renewing  the  attack  the  next 
morning  with  five  gunboats ;  keeping  the  fire  up  until 
about  5  p.  mv  when  they  withdrew.  The  R.  L.  I.  Blues 
and  F  Company  were  stationed,  during  the  firing,  be- 
hind some  hills  in  the  rear  of  the  works,  and  nearly  all 
the  shots  of  the  enemy  passed  over  us.  The  family  liv- 
ing inside  the  earthworks  had  a  chicken  coop  knocked  to 
pieces.  The  old  cock  confined  in  it  came  out  of  the  ruins, 
mounted  the  debris,  flapped  his  wings  and  crowed.  That 
was  the  only  casualty  on  our  side.  Capt.  Walker's  shots 
struck  the  vessels  several  times,  and  as  they  were  wooden 
boats,  he  must  have  damaged  them  some.  We  after- 
wards heard  that  one  of  them  was  the  notable  Pawnee. 

We  had  several  alarms  at  night,  when  the  entire  com- 
pany would  turn  out,  and  march  to  the  river  to  the  place 
designated.     On  one  of  these  occasions,  we  marched  in 


ONE  OF  JACKSON'S  FOOT  CAVALRY   25 

rain  which  poured  down  in  torrents.  The  darkness  was 
illumined  by  most  vivid  flashes  of  lightning,  and  great 
peals  of  thunder  intensified  the  storm.  We  stayed  out  all 
night,  putting  a  picket  along  the  river,  two  men  on  a 
post.  We  crossed  Aquia  Creek  twice  during  alarms, 
one  time  staying  all  night  on  the  point. 

We  were  joined  by  a  regiment  from  Arkansas,  and 
one  from  Tennessee  and  several  companies  from  Vir- 
ginia. The  hills  around  Aquia  were  fortified  by  earth- 
works, and  large  naval  guns  were  placed  in  them.  Our 
company  turned  out  one  night  and  pulled  one  of  those 
large  guns  up  one  of  the  steepest  hills  to  its  position,  after 
a  failure  on  the  part  of  a  large  team  of  horses  and  oxen ! 
It  was  demonstrated  very  forcibly  that  men  are  the  best 
and  quickest  force  for  handling  large  and  heavy  guns 
like  those. 

We  drilled  every  good  day  and  took  our  first  lessons 
in  skirmish  drill,  and  the  bayonet  exercise,  or  the  Zouave 
drill ;  and  before  we  left,  we  became  very  well  drilled  in 
each.  We  enjoyed  ourselves  very  much  notwithstanding 
the  duties,  fishing  on  the  wharf,  bathing  in  the  river,  tak- 
ing rambles  through  the  woods,  having  on  one  of  the  hills 
in  the  neighborhood  a  fine  and  extensive  view  of  the 
Potomac. 

On  June  the  14th,  F  Company  was  ordered  to  Rich- 
mond to  join  a  regiment  that  was  being  formed  there. 
The  men  were  told  it  was  to  be  a  crack  regiment ;  our  own 
and  a  Maryland  company  commanded  by  Capt.  J.  Lyle 
Clarke,  then  in  Camp  Lee,  were  to  be  the  nucleus,  the 
other  companies  to  be  of  the  same  standing.  No  time 
was  designated  for  the  formation  of  the  regiment,  and 
when  formed  it  would  be  an  independent  one.  With 
those  inducements  the  men  readily  consented  to  the  ar- 


26   ONE  OF  JACKSON'S  FOOT  CAVALRY 

rangement,  and  therefore  the  order  to  go  to  Richmond. 

The  following  changes  took  place  in  officers  and  non- 
commissioned officers,  while  we  were  at  Fredericksburg 
and  Aquia  Creek. 

First  Lieut.  James  R.  Crenshaw  and  Corporal  Edward 
T.  Robinson  did  not  accompany  us,  and  soon  after  we 
got  to  Fredericksburg  Capt.  Cary  was  made  a  Colonel ; 
those  vacancies  were  filled  by  promotions  as  follows : 

Captain,  Richard  H.  Cunningham. 

First  Lieut.,  Edward  Mayo. 

Second  Lieut.,  Phillip  A.  Wei  ford. 

Jr.  Second  Lieut.,  Henry  T.  Miller. 

First  Sergeant,  John  A.  Pizzini. 

Second  Sergeant,  Edward  G.  Rawlings. 

Third  Sergeant,  John  Tyler. 

Fourth  Sergeant,  Thomas  Ellett. 

First  Corporal,  M.  Louis  Randolph. 

Second  Corporal,  Jesse  Child. 

Third  Corporal,  J.  Tucker  Randolph. 

Fourth  Corporal,  Shirley  King. 

First  Corporal,  M.  Louis  Randolph  resigned  June  4, 
1 861. 

Jesse  Child  was  made  First  Corporal  June  5. 

J.  Tucker  Randolph  was  made  Second  Corporal  June 

5- 

Shirley  King  was  made  Third  Corporal  June  5. 

George  R.  Pace  was  made  Fourth  Corporal  June  5. 

F  Company  gave  up  Capt.  Cary  with  much  reluctance. 
He  was  the  organizer  of  F  Company,  a  fine  soldier,  strict 
disciplinarian,  and  splendid  drill  master.  They  tell  this 
on  him  to  show  his  promptness :  At  the  time  of  the 
John  Brown  raid,  Gov.  Wise  one  night  sent  for  him,  told 
him  he  wanted  his  company  to  go  to  Harper's  Ferry  at 


FIRST    CAPTAIN    R.    MILTON    CARY 


Opposite  page  26. 


ONE  OF  JACKSON'S  FOOT  CAVALRY   27 

once,  and  asked  him,  "  Flow  many  men  can  you  carry, 
and  how  soon  can  you  meet  me  at  the  R.  F.  &  P.  R.  R. 
depot?  "  Capt.  Cary  replied,  "  Sixty  men  in  sixty  min- 
utes." The  old  governor,  much  pleased  with  the  answer, 
told  him  to  report  within  two  hours. 

When  F  Company  left  Richmond  for  Fredericksburg, 
each  man  carried  his  equipment  of  gun,  etc.,  a  knapsack, 
canteen,  tin  cup,  and  haversack;  most  of  them  wore  linen 
gaiters  and  havelocks,  the  latter  being  a  head  covering, 
a  protection  from  the  sun.  Many  wore  around  their 
waists,  next  to  their  skin,  a  flannel  belt  or  worsted  string, 
to  prevent  bowel  complaint  (?).  In  our  knapsacks  we 
carried  a  fatigue  jacket,  several  pairs  of  white  gloves, 
several  pairs  of  drawers,  several  white  shirts,  under- 
shirts, linen  collars,  neckties,  white  vest,  socks,  etc.,  filling 
our  knapsack  to  overflowing.  Strapped  on  the  outside 
were  one  or  two  blankets,  an  oilcloth,  and  extra  shoes. 
Most  of  the  knapsacks  weighed  between  thirty  and  forty 
pounds,  but  some  were  so  full  that  they  weighed  fifty 
pounds ! 

The  best  article  carried  by  the  soldiers  was  a  needle 
case,  as  it  was  called,  containing  needles  of  various  sizes, 
thread,  buttons,  etc.  It  soon  became  the  most  valuable 
of  our  possessions,  and  when  we  went  into  camp  we 
would  see  the  men  occupied  in  sewing  or  patching  their 
clothing,  and  towards  the  last  of  the  war,  it  was  in  almost 
constant  use.  Notwithstanding  this,  it  was  hard  to  keep 
the  ragged  clothing  from  showing  a  portion  of  the  skin 
of  its  wearer. 

Every  man  carried  a  Bible,  given  with  her  blessing  by 
mother  or  sweetheart,  and  I  suppose  every  man  in  the 
Confederate  army  carried  one.  This  Bible  was  read  as 
a  book  never  was  before.     I  read  mine  through  the  first 


28   ONE  OF  JACKSON'S  FOOT  CAVALRY 

year.  They  were  a  blessing  to  many,  and  life  savers,  too, 
as  I  heard  of  and  saw  many  lives  saved  by  bullets  strik- 
ing the  Bible,  carried  in  the  breast  pocket. 


Ill 

CAMP   LEE   AND    MUSTERED   INTO   SERVICE 

On  our  arrival  at  Camp  Lee,  we  were  given  tents, 
which  we  put  up  in  regular  military  style  near  the  center 
of  the  grounds,  and  commenced  a  regular  camp  life; 
drilling,  guard  mounting  each  morning,  policing,  inspec- 
tions, and  evening  dress  parade.  The  latter  was  wit- 
nessed daily  by  quite  a  number  of  our  lady  friends  from 
Richmond. 

We  were  mustered  into  service  for  one  year  on  June 
28,  1861  (to  date  from  April  21),  on  the  Capitol  Square 
by  Inspector  General  J.  B.  Baldwin.  Each  boy  under  21, 
and  there  were  many,  brought  a  written  permit  from 
parent  or  guardian,  and  this  was  approved  by  the  Gover- 
nor of  Virginia  before  he  was  mustered  in. 

I  cannot  give  a  copy  of  that  muster  roll,  as  it  cannot 
be  found,  but  give  that  of  the  30th,  only  two  days  later, 
which  is  practically  the  same. 

"  Muster  Roll  of  Captain  Richard  H.  Cunningham, 
Jr.'s  Company  F  of  Light  Infantry  from  the  City  of 
Richmond,  known  as  '  F  Company,'  constituting  part 
of  the  Force  of  Virginia  Volunteers,  called  into  the  Serv- 
ice of  the  State  by  the  Governor,  under  on  Ordinance 
of  the  State  Convention  adopted  April  17,  1861.  En- 
rolled for  Active  Service  at  Richmond,  on  the  21st  of 
April,  1 86 1 ;  Mustered  into  Service  at  Richmond  on  the 
28th  day  of  June,  1861,  for  one  year  from  the  21st  day 
of  April,  1861,  unless  sooner  discharged." 

29 


3o       ONE  OF  JACKSON'S  FOOT  CAVALRY 


r^  o  i-~o  r~sO 


rt  H   f»i  n   p) 


O  00   o  *^  -  o 


rt^Hrt-H-H 


•>    O    C  O    O 


•J1UBJJ 


O  5  c  0  « 


<j 

•" 

0 

B 

-0 

V 

ra 

c 

CD 

o 

c 

c 

5  s 

a 
u 

^ 

a 

i- 

« 

W 

<! 

H 

o 

^ 

.-;.— 

c 

rt 

cb 

£ 

2' 51 

£h 

■a     >k     a^  j 

O.  1^  JVM  in     -S  J 

c     o  c  S'S  E  u  3  =  t-o  S        "i  >- 

«  '^^^'"-L1--  >K  bu  S-2 

"  a"  ffi  l~**i  —  —  '-<  m       -  «j  „  o 

?  hjSfj  -  j  &  a  cg«Q  c-  §•§->«  g 
U  a  &  »  2  2  £  b  a  a  fc r  *  S  -    -  r  *  2   - 

sjS-S  fe^r^^:  BOSS'S. 

S     .jSuCSCueacBrtuuSu  i_----~ 

hi;i-1cny«c<<<pQpqf£ipqmpqpq««fcipqc 


n  f)*"«itH«f)*  in>o  t^oo  o\  o 


ti     O 


4)  0J> 


£Q 


tJM». 


o  i«r 


n  5-5  S^BSS 


ONE  OF  JACKSON'S  FOOT  CAVALRY       31 


5S 


a  c  -a 

-£§ 
5  B.S 

-o  «  v 

JO 


■a  a 
II. 


Hrt>-"NrtrtNrt 


H    ^    rt    t*    C*    H 


^*  .ti«-«i 


5  R 


c  £  E  j  8 


»    tq 


--A'S-s^T'Tda 


..    ..  „  oh  rt 

?*>■>.  4J  c/^  ~t^  *  —   OJ   ^1  r<  "rj'v 

000 


j  «  „  „.„■  iina  u £32. 
,oooooouWK£l 


-  *  ?>  rt  oi2  ra  ~  uts5-—  o  bkHo 


rt  aj  c3  " 


Vi«   OJ  ._    O    U   O.T=    n3    rt    o    3    o 


>>o  bo  M 


ci  nt  m*o  t^co  o  o 


>  *f  tn*o  CO   O* 


32       ONE  OF  JACKSON'S  FOOT  CAVALRY 


c  »  S     '3  5 

o  S  o       "  o 

E o 6.    *".  E. 

ja-a-g«   g-  -g« 

2  "8  2     M  5 


:  -  -    >%  j  >>  - 


<      s<£<<s    < 

^•♦C>»  ISO  •*  o  **.o  O  •*■-  O  w  0  *•►« 

« 


V 

- 

u 
O 

< 

=5 

U 

o 

> 

- 

u 

* 

a 

- 

r  — 

n" 

o 

o 

*?  - 

> 

> 

<u 

_=-^ 

V 

V 

-- 

o 

P-I 

PMPh 

fc 

Pi 

— 

V 

en  ^    o 


a  «  £ 


,_,    .      n    .iii  so 

^  |||rlwl|l «  1|  fell  d  Ml  t|^H 

1-  '-  o      nW        .s3c  nlXK  ^  iv  L>->,;  ,„-i— A  c  e r  2 

S  3  I  <u  *-*  u  -     ■£    -   -   -   -  -  «  -P5,3.       cs  *o« 

**-  -*-  •C  c   D   _  -C.  ^   h  t-   "   Pi  Pi  Pi  >>—  ■— <  -m  +j  —  fQ  B  r2   ra  cd   u_^  O  id  O 
udo  C  o  oj  U  S  3  J^.S.iS  o  rt  rt  cd  rt  >>  >,  cd  cd  cd  rt  «  ►£  ^  k ™*    ~  ^  ^  s* 


)  rt-  m^o  tsoo  o  o 


n  n*t  u->^o  rxoo  o\  o 


<r>  -1-  m\o  t^co  Ov  o 


«^i'0^o^i\o^\0'0^i  rst-NCxtstN.wtN.tN.tN, incc cocooooocccoooooco  O\^0\0*oo\ 


ONE  OF  JACKSON'S  FOOT  CAVALRY      33 


3 

T3 

.s 

0 

5 

H3 

.     '0 

u 

T3 

CO 

V 

P 

5        4) 

O 

2 

So 

'0 

bo       Jj 

'0 

£j 

c 

Ui 

C- 

c 
< 

>      W 

<L> 

<| 

LM 

O 

O             H 

\0     H 

J^O 

M^O 

>"0   w 

O0«0 

£<2  w 

OO  °° 

P  00  *o 

n  moo 

cT  ^ 

<  -0 

jj  t^  cs 

VO   ^ 

■m    N*0 

03 

0  w 

CO 

p  b 

C   t)   > 

0  c  « 

Ec?| 

[jgs 

0   3   3 

P   1)   V 

0  p  p 

S33 

1— .s 

S  1-H.S 

TJ  JjS  1 — . 

£St—>t— 1 

PH-*-. 

T3"0 

S'Jxi 

°  t3 -o  >-' xj -a 

g-o-d 

G  a;  cj 

cu  cj 

•\      <U    (LI 

^    P    P 

p  a 

2h  a  a 

J3  a  a 

■^  cj  a> 

.5?  p° 

0  bo  bo 

bo  bo 

1)    D 

v'S'cn 

P'm'S 

H  U    D 

K« 

«C2 

k« 

OictJ 

>. 

CO 

0 

fi 

s 

M 

XI 

c 

0 

« 

w 

« 

u~ 

a. 

< 

^j' 

CM" 

J 

£W 

Ih 

'p 

«    . 

43 

^ 

bo  "0 

0     - 
OH 

-  >> 

pjo 

£  P 

2  °i 

P    5J 
43    CO 

,  ■   CO 

P  <U 

-=  >- 

-p'-p" 

c  c 

P    4> 
J5-° 

bo  0 

is 

P*  a 
go 

bo  p 

•Sua 

U.T3 

cu  c^ 

rt  J3 

ii  ° 

CO     O 

<U  c 

.-=  0 

wu 

WK 

ins 

S« 

wo 

»•  M 

ro  <o- 

1^^ 

t^OO 

o>  0 

34   ONE  OF  JACKSON'S  FOOT  CAVALRY 


Recapitulation. 


Strength,    Present    and    Absent. 


V 

<v 

C 

rt 

<U 

3 

tl 

U 

o 

rt 

— 

ft 

u 

Eh 

<u 

C 

i- 

o 

u 

m 

in 

u 

Ph 

H 

I 

i 

2 

4 

4 

86 
5 

4 

94 

5 

4 

I 

i 

2 

4 

4 

95 

i°3 

I  certify  on  honor,  that  this  "  Muster  Roll  "  exhibits  the 
true  state  of  the  company  therein  described,  for  the  period 
mentioned ;  that  the  "  Remarks  "  set  opposite  the  name  of 
each  officer  and  soldier  are  accurate  and  just. 

(Signed)  R.  H.  Cunningham,  Jr., 

Commanding  the  Company. 

I  certify  on  honor,  that  I  have  at  the  Camp  of  Instruction 
on  this  30th  day  of  June,  1861,  carefully  examined  this  Roll 
and  that  I  have  mustered  the  company. 

(Signed)  William  Gilham, 

Col.  and  Mustering  Officer. 
Date,  June  30,  1861. 
Location,  Camp  of  Instruction. 


While  in  Camp  Lee,  some  of  the  company  visited  the 
city  daily,  some  with  passes,  others  "  ran  the  blockade  " 
on  their  uniform.  As  before  stated,  our  uniforms  gave 
the  impression  of  a  first  lieutenant,  and  when  we  wanted 
to  go  to  the  city  and  could  not  get  a  pass,  we  would 


ONE  OF  JACKSON'S  FOOT  CAVALRY   35 

march  boldly  by  a  sentinel  on  duty  at  some  of  the  many 
openings  around  the  grounds,  give  him  the  salute,  and 
he  would  present  arms  as  we  passed  out.  So  many  of 
our  company  went  to  the  city  in  this  way,  that  orders 
were  finally  issued  that  every  one  leaving  the  grounds 
should  go  out  of  the  gate ;  and  as  some  officer  was  al- 
ways stationed  there,  we  were  afraid  to  try  it  too  often. 

I  cannot  help  telling  of  a  good  thing  I  heard  from  an 
officer.  One  night  I  was  particularly  anxious  to  go  to 
the  city,  and  no  one  was  allowed  to  go  out  at  night,  un- 
less he  had  the  countersign.  This  was  only  given  to  those 
on  duty,  and  in  consequence  none  of  us  could  go  out  at 
night.  As  night  approached,  I  walked  to  the  guard 
quarters  at  the  gate,  and  took  a  seat  among  some  of  my 
company  who  were  on  duty,  hoping  something  would 
turn  up,  and  let  me  into  the  secret.  I  was  there  some 
time,  but  no  one  would  talk  about  it,  and  as  it  was  getting 
dark,  I  had  about  made  up  my  mind  to  leave,  and  try 
to  dodge  the  sentinel  by  walking  out,  hoping  he  would 
think  me  one  of  the  guards.  The  captain  of  the  guard 
now  made  his  appearance,  and  called  by  name  the  non- 
commissioned officer  who  was  on  duty,  and  said,  "  The 
countersign  to-night  is  '  Richmond,'  and  the  password, 
'  Chickahominy.'  '  I  was  so  overjoyed  that  I  came  near 
letting  the  officer  know  that  I  was  not  one  of  the  guard. 
As  soon  as  he  walked  away  I  quietly  left,  went  to  our 
quarters,  told  many  of  the  company,  and  they  left  for 
the  city.     About  half  of  the  company  did  the  same. 

Our  company  was  called  on  suddenly  about  sunset,  on 
Monday,  July  1,  to  "  fall  in,"  and  we  marched,  at  a  dou- 
ble quick,  through  rain  and  mud  to  the  Penitentiary. 
Here  we  found  the  weaving  department  on  fire,  and 
much  excitement;  our  company  was  put  on  guard  duty. 


36   ONE  OF  JACKSON'S  FOOT  CAVALRY 

After  remaining  several  hours,  the  fire  having  been  put 
out  and  quiet  restored,  we  were  again  ordered  to  "  fall 
in,"  and  marched  to  the  corner  of  Fifth  and  Franklin 
Streets  in  the  city  and  were  dismissed,  being  allowed  to 
go  to  our  homes  for  the  remainder  of  the  night.  We 
were  given  orders  to  assemble  at  the  same  point  next 
morning  at  10  o'clock,  when  we  marched  back  to  Camp 
Lee. 

Quite  a  stir  was  created  in  camp  one  day  by  the  an- 
nouncement that  a  flag  would  be  presented  to  Company 
B.  This  was  a  very  handsome  silk  flag,  was  made  by 
the  ladies  of  Baltimore  and  "  ran  the  blockade  "  into 
Richmond,  and  was  presented  to  the  company  by  Presi- 
dent Davis.  He  made  one  of  his  brilliant  speeches  in 
the  presence  of  the  regiment,  and  a  large  number  of  vis- 
itors from  Richmond,  most  of  whom  were  ladies.  The 
occasion  passed  off  with  great  enthusiasm. 

About  two  weeks  after  reaching  Camp  Lee,  the  21st 
Regiment  of  Virginia  Infantry  was  formed,  including 
the  Maryland  company,  two  or  three  others,  and  F  Com- 
pany.    The  following  officers  were  appointed : 

William  Gilham,  Colonel,  from  the  Va.  Military  In- 
stitute. 

John  M.  Patton,  Lt.  Colonel,  from  Richmond. 

Scott  Shipp,  Major,  from  the  Va.  Military  Institute. 

William  H.  Morgan,  Adjutant,  from  the  Va.  Military 
Institute. 

Dr.  Robert  L.  Coleman,  Surgeon,  from  Richmond. 

Dr.  R.  Lewis,  Assistant  Surgeon,  from  Richmond. 

H.  E.  C.  Baskerville,  Commissary,  from  Richmond. 

Virginus  Dabney,  Sergeant  Major. 

Timothy  H.  Kellogg,  Commissary  Sergeant,  from 
Richmond. 


ONE  OF  JACKSON'S  FOOT  CAVALRY   37 

In  a  few  days  an  order  was  sent  to  these  officers  to 
complete  the  regiment  at  once  from  such  companies  as 
were  then  in  camp,  and  be  ready  to  move  as  soon  as  pos- 
sible ;  as  troops  were  very  much  needed  in  the  field.  This 
order  was  complied  with,  and  the  regiment  was  com- 
pleted. The  following  is  a  list  of  companies  and  their 
captains,  in  alphabetical  order,  as  I  am  unable  to  give 
them  in  the  order  of  their  rank : 

Company  "  B  "  of  Baltimore,  Maryland,  Captain  J. 
Lyle  Clarke. 

Brunswick  Grays,  Brunswick  Co.,  Captain  Robert- 
son. 

Buckingham  Leitches,  Buckingham  Co.,  Captain  James 
Leitch. 

Chalk  Level   Grays,    Pittsylvania   Co.,    Captain  

Mustain. 

Cumberland  Grays,  Cumberland  Co.,  Captain  Francis 
D.  Irving. 

"  F  "  Company,  Richmond,  Captain  Richard  H.  Cun- 
ningham, Jr. 

Meherrin  Grays,  Mecklenberg  Co.,  Captain  William 
R.  Berkeley. 

Oliver  Grays,  Buckingham  Co.,  Captain  John  Oliver. 

Red  House  Volunteers,  Charlotte  Co.,  Captain  John 
B.  Moseley. 

Turkey  Cock  Grays,  Pittsylvania  Co.,  Captain  William 
A.  Witcher. 

The  regiment  numbered  about  eight  hundred  and  fifty, 
rank  and  file.  We  were  soon  ready,  and  reported  to  the 
authorities.  Our  company  now  equipped  itself  with 
everything  that  could  be  gotten  to  make  us  comfortable. 
As  we  had  been  in  the  field  several  weeks  and  knew  the 
necessities,  had  marched,  slept  without  protection,  done 


38   ONE  OF  JACKSON'S  FOOT  CAVALRY 

picket  duty,  been  in  one  engagement;  we  thought  our- 
selves veterans,  and  as  such,  were  going  to  take  along 
with  us  everything  the  authorities  would  allow.  Each 
mess  purchased  a  nice  chest.  As  our  own  was  a  fair 
specimen,  I  will  try  to  describe  it  and  its  contents. 
The  chest  was  made  of  oak,  and  was  about  three 
feet  long,  eighteen  inches  deep  and  wide.  In  it  were 
several  trays ;  it  was  strapped  securely  with  iron,  at 
each  end  were  iron  handles,  and  its  top  was  secured 
by  substantial  iron  hinges  and  a  strong  lock.  We 
had  in  it  a  dozen  knives  and  forks,  two  or  three 
butcher  knives,  a  dozen  teacups  and  saucers,  a  dozen 
plates,  several  dishes  and  bowls,  a  sugar  dish  and  cream 
pitcher,  salt  and  pepper  boxes,  a  tin  box,  containing  a 
dozen  assorted  boxes  of  spices,  a  dozen  glasses,  a  sifter, 
rolling  pin,  coffee  tin,  etc. ;  besides  these,  we  carried  out- 
side a  frying  pan,  coffee  pot,  camp  kettle,  teapot,  bread 
oven  that  afterwards  played  such  a  prominent  part  in  the 
army  as  the  "  spider,"  two  water  buckets,  ax,  etc. 

The  regiment  got  orders  to  be  ready  to  take  the  cars 
at  the  Central  Depot  on  the  18th  of  July,  1861,  for 
Staunton.  Promptly  on  that  morning  we  marched  out 
of  Camp  Lee  into  Broad  Street,  where  we  wheeled  into 
platoons,  F  Company  in  front,  and  marched  to  the  depot. 
Our  friends  turned  out  by  thousands  and  the  march  was 
made  amidst  the  inspiring  cheers  of  the  multitude  that 
bade  us  good-by.  The  day  was  terribly  hot,  and  many 
of  the  men  fell  out  of  rank  during  the  march,  overcome 
by  the  heat. 

In  addition  to  the  usual  arms  of  an  infantryman,  each 
man  carried  a  long  bowie  knife,  and  a  pistol  at  his  belt. 


IV 


WEST  VIRGINIA 


We  left  Richmond  about  n  a.  m.  on  the  18th  of 
July,  1 86 1,  for  Staunton,  which  place  we  reached  in  slow 
time  on  the  next  morning  about  7  o'clock.  We  were 
marched  to  the  Fair  Grounds,  and  camped  in  a  wood  on 
a  large  hill  overlooking  the  depot  and  city.  During  the 
day  we  made  additional  purchases  of  articles  that  we 
thought  would  be  of  use  and  comfort  to  us,  and  hired 
teams  to  carry  our  company  baggage.  The  next  morning 
we  left  Staunton,  marching  to  Buffalo  Gap ;  the  regiment 
having  a  wagon  train  of  thirty-five  wagons,  most  of  which 
were  four-horse  mountain  wagons.  Our  company  had 
five,  having  hired  four  of  that  number  to  carry  our  bag- 
gage, knapsacks,  chests,  etc.,  the  one  furnished  by  the 
government  carrying  our  tents  and  cooking  utensils. 
When  we  reached  Buffalo  Gap,  flour  was  issued  to  us  as 
rations,  and  we  were  promised  beef  as  soon  as  some  of  the 
regiment  would  kill  some  cattle  that  were  in  a  pen  in  sight. 
Some  of  the  F  boys  volunteered  to  do  the  killing,  if 
others  would  do  the  dressing,  etc.  The  force  was  soon 
made  up,  the  F  boys  quietly  loading  their  guns,  and 
shooting  the  required  number  of  beeves,  the  others  dress- 
ing them,  and  in  a  short  time  we  had  our  regular  supper. 
This  is  the  commencement  of  our  rations  of  beef  and 
flour,  a  ration  that  was  issued  to  us  many  years.  While 
the  beef  was  being  dressed,  camp  was  laid  off,  tents 
pitched,  fires  made.  Some  of  the  men  took  a  delightful 
bath,  others  climbed  the  steep  mountain  and  viewed  the 

39 


4o   ONE  OF  JACKSON'S  FOOT  CAVALRY 

surrounding  country.  Guard  was  placed  around  the 
camp,  and  as  bedtime  approached  we  went  quietly  to  rest, 
after  our  first  regular  march  as  a  regiment. 

Next  morning  we  continued  our  march,  and  during 
the  day  we  heard  firing  of  artillery  so  plainly  in  our 
front,  that  our  officers  sent  someone  ahead  to  find  out 
what  it  meant.  After  waiting  some  time  one  of  them 
rode  forward,  and  when  he  returned  after  several  hours' 
absence,  he  could  give  no  account  of  it,  saying  that  as 
far  as  he  went  it  seemed  just  ahead,  and  no  one  he  saw 
could  give  any  information  in  regard  to  it.  We  went 
into  camp  at  Ryan's,  and  while  we  were  eating  supper  a 
dispatch  was  received  by  a  courier,  saying  a  great  battle 
had  been  fought  and  won  by  the  Confederates  at  Manas- 
sas. We  must  have  been  one  hundred  miles  in  an  air 
line  from  Manassas.  The  firing  was  as  distinct  that  day 
as  any  I  heard  afterwards  that  was  five  to  six  miles  off. 

The  company's  first  misfortune  overtook  us  at  Ryan's; 
the  government  took  one  of  our  company's  wagons,  and 
the  driver  of  another  refused  to  go  any  farther.  Some 
of  the  mess  chests  were  left,  and  some  of  the  men  hail  to 
carry  their  knapsacks.  The  next  day  we  reached  Mc- 
Dowell in  a  drizzling  rain,  and  met  the  men  of  Garnett's 
command,  who  had  been  defeated  a  few  days  before  at 
Carrick's  Ford.  They  were  a  forlorn  looking  set,  and 
told  awful  tales  of  having  nothing  to  eat  except  berries 
and  roasting  ears !  None  of  us  believed  what  they  said. 
It  was  not  many  months  before  we  were  made  to  realize 
that  it  was  the  truth.  We  now  lost  another  of  our  com- 
pany's wagons  and  more  mess  chests  were  left  behind. 
The  next  day  we  marched  to  Monterey.  We  were  living 
high,  buying  as  many  chickens  as  we  wanted,  nearly 
grown,  for  six  pence  —  8   1-3  cents  —  each,  butter  and 


ONE  OF  JACKSON'S  FOOT  CAVALRY   41 

eggs  at  corresponding  prices  per  pound  and  dozen,  and 
when  we  could  stop  for  a  meal,  the  price  was  nine  pence 
—  12  1-2  cents. 

Continuing  our  march,  we  reached  Napp's  Creek  Val- 
ley on  the  25th,  and  forded  that  creek  seventeen  times 
during  the  day's  march,  the  road  crossing  from  one  side 
to  the  other  every  few  hundred  yards.  Gen.  Loring,  the 
officer  in  command  of  this  expedition,  passed  us  to-day 
while  we  were  on  the  march.  His  attention  being  called 
to  the  regiment,  he  remarked  that  they  were  a  fine  look- 
ing body  of  men,  but  no  soldiers.  Until  they  are  able  to 
sleep  in  winter  amidst  the  snow  and  ice  without  tents, 
they  are  not  soldiers !  This  was  repeated  to  our  com- 
pany, and  the  men  were  very  indignant,  and  put  him  down 
at  once  as  an  officer  who  knew  nothing;  and  each  man  in 
the  company  wanted  to  call  him  to  account  for  the  insinu- 
ation, and  would  have  told  him  they  never  expected  to 
sleep  in  snow  or  surrounded  by  ice.  Alas,  for  our  judg- 
ment! It  was  not  many  months  before  we  were  of  the 
same  opinion  as  Gen.  Loring,  and  we  then  knew  that  we 
had  at  this  time  learned  nothing  about  the  duties  of  sol- 
diers in  the  field.  On  the  evening  of  the  26th,  we  reached 
Huntersville,  the  county  seat  of  Pocahontas. 

We  stayed  there  several  days,  concentrating  a  force 
large  enough  to  cope  with  the  enemy  in  our  front.  We 
were  joined  by  several  regiments  of  infantry,  several 
companies  of  cavalry,  and  several  batteries  of  artillery. 
During  our  stay  there  a  great  many  of  the  men  became 
sick  with  measles  and  typhoid  fever,  and  when  we  left 
on  the  evening  of  the  3d  of  August,  at  least  one-third 
of  the  2 1st  Va.  Regt.  was  sick  in  the  hospitals.  The 
courthouse  and  only  church  had  been  converted  into  hos- 
pitals, and  some  of  the  private  houses  were  full  of  the 


42   ONE  OF  JACKSON'S  FOOT  CAVALRY 

sick,  and  tents  had  to  be  erected  for  others.  Our  com- 
pany's baggage  was  reduced  so  much  that  we  only  had 
one  wagon  when  we  left.  The  march  continued  until 
we  reached  Valley  Mountain  on  the  6th,  where  our  regi- 
ment pitched  tents  on  the  side  of  this  mountain,  and  we 
went  into  camp. 

Gen.  R.  E.  Lee,  having  been  assigned  to  the  command 
of  this  department,  joined  us  here,  and  pitched  his  head- 
quarter's  tents  about  one  or  two  hundred  yards  from  our 
company.  He  soon  won  the  affection  of  all  by  his  po- 
liteness and  notice  of  the  soldiers.  He  very  often  had 
something  to  say  to  the  men,  and  it  soon  became  known 
that  when  some  of  the  people  in  the  neighborhood  sent 
him  something  good  to  eat,  as  soon  as  the  messenger  got 
out  of  sight,  the  articles  were  sent  to  some  sick  soldier. 
This  affection  increased  as  the  years  rolled  on,  and  I  sup- 
pose no  body  of  men  under  his  command  had  more  love 
and  respect  for  our  great  leader  than  these  men  who 
first  served  under  him ! 

Here  is  an  incident  showing  Gen.  Lee's  kindness  of 
heart.  He  was  well  aware  of  the  arduous  duties  we  had 
to  do  at  that  time.  On  a  rainy  night  a  private  of  Com- 
pany E  of  our  regiment  was  on  guard  duty.  Soon  after 
getting  to  his  post  he  took  a  seat  on  a  log,  thinking  he 
could  protect  himself  and  his  gun  from  the  rain  better  in 
this  position.  While  in  this  position  he  was  approached 
by  the  corporal  of  the  guard,  who  accused  the  man  of  be- 
ing asleep  on  his  post.  This  the  man  denied  and  stated 
that  the  ground  being  so  soft  from  rain,  he  did  not 
hear  him  approach.  The  corporal  arrested  him,  and  took 
him  to  the  guard  house,  turning  him  over  to  the  officer 
of  the  guard.  At  that  time  it  was  thought  a  capital  of- 
fense for  a  man  to  be  caught  asleep  on  post,  and  punish- 


ONE  OF  JACKSON'S  FOOT  CAVALRY      43 

able  by  death.  In  the  morning  the  captain  of  the  guard 
consulted  with  the  officers  of  the  regiment  as  to  what 
should  be  done.  All  of  them  thought  he  ought  to  be  shot. 
Things  began  to  look  blue  for  the  man,  when  as  by  in- 
spiration the  captain  said,  "  Well,  Gen.  Lee  is  here,  and 
he  knows,  and  I'll  carry  you  to  him."  As  they  ap- 
proached Gen.  Lee's  tent,  they  saw  he  was  alone,  and  at  a 
table  writing.  On  getting  to  the  tent  the  general  bade 
them  good-morning  and  invited  them  in.  When  they  en- 
tered, the  general  said,  "  What  can  I  do  for  you,  cap- 
tain? "  The  captain  stated  the  case,  and  said  the  officers 
of  the  regiment  did  not  know  what  to  do,  so  he  came  to 
consult  him.  Gen.  Lee  at  once  replied,  "  Captain,  you 
know  the  arduous  duties  these  men  have  to  do  daily. 
Suppose  the  man  who  was  found  on  his  post  asleep  had 
been  you,  or  me,  what  do  you  think  should  be  done  to 
him?  "  The  captain  replied  that  he  had  not  thought  of 
it  in  that  way.  Then  Gen.  Lee  turned  to  the  man  and 
said,  "  My  man,  go  back  to  your  quarters,  and  never  let 
it  be  said  you  were  found  asleep  on  your  post." 

The  sick  became  so  numerous  here,  and  the  regiments 
were  so  diminished  at  one  time,  that  I  suppose  there  were 
not  more  than  one-fourth  of  the  men  available  for  duty. 
I  know  that  in  my  own  regiment  we  had  to  picket  to  the 
front  and  when  one  picket  was  relieved  and  the  men  re- 
turned to  camp  in  the  evening,  most  of  them  were  detailed 
immediately,  and  ordered  to  get  ready  with  rations,  etc., 
to  go  on  duty  again  in  the  morning.  We  worked  a  great 
deal  on  the  roads.  Some  of  the  men  while  at  work  one 
day  under  the  direction  of  a  corporal,  were  observed  by 
Gen.  Loring  in  his  rounds.  He  dismounted,  gave  some 
directions  as  to  work,  and  then  took  a  seat  on  a  log 
near  him.     The  corporal  joined  him,  and  seating  himself 


44   ONE  OF  JACKSON'S  FOOT  CAVALRY 

near  the  general,  made  some  remarks  about  the  work, 
and  said  to  Gen.  Loring,  "  General,  we  officers  have 
a  good  time  up  here,  don't  we?  "  General  Loring  looked 
at  him,  and  then  asked  his  rank.  He  replied :  "  Cor- 
poral! "  The  general,  who  was  a  profane  man,  let  some 
"  cuss  words  "  loose  at  him,  and  told  him  to  take  a  spade; 
and  it  is  said  the  corporal  made  the  dirt  fly  as  long  as 
Gen.  Loring  was  in  sight. 

Gen.  Lee  ordered  a  forward  movement  on  Sept.  9th. 
The  men  were  given  thirty  rounds  of  ammunition  each, 
which  in  a  short  time  thereafter  were  increased  to  forty 
rounds,  which  number  was  always  carried  by  each  man 
to  the  end  of  the  war,  unless  on  some  special  occasion  we 
were  required  to  carry  eighty. 

We  met  the  enemy  at  Conrad's  Mill  on  the  nth,  when 
some  skirmishing  and  artillery  firing  took  place.  As  we 
advanced  up  the  road,  we  passed  our  first  dead  Yankee. 
He  made  a  lasting  impression,  as  he  lay  on  the  side  of 
the  road,  his  face  upturned  and  a  fresh  pool  of 
blood  at  his  side,  showing  that  his  life  had  just  passed 
away. 

The  enemy  retired  during  the  night.  The  next  day  a 
picket  from  the  21st  Va.  Regt.  was  sent  to  the  front,  re- 
maining there  until  the  15th,  when  we  fell  back  to  Valley 
Mountain,  reaching  there  on  the  17th. 

The  failure  here  was  owing  more  to  mud  than  any- 
thing else.  In  all  my  experience  of  the  war  I  never  saw 
as  much  mud.  It  seemed  to  rain  every  day  and  it  got 
to  be  a  saying  in  our  company  that  you  must  not  halloo 
loud,  for  if  you  should,  we  would  immediately  have  a 
hard  shower,  and  when  some  of  the  men  on  their  return 
from  picket  had  to  shoot  their  guns  off  to  get  the  load 
out,  it  brought  on  a  regular  flood.     Granville  Gray  al- 


ONE  OF  JACKSON'S  FOOT  CAVALRY      45 

ways  said  it  rained  thirty-two  days  in  August.  I  was 
told  by  wagoners  that  it  was  hard  for  them  to  haul 
from  Milboro,  a  distance  of  sixty  miles,  any  more  than 
it  took  to  feed  their  teams  back  and  forth.  I  saw  dead 
mules  lying  in  the  road,  with  nothing  but  their  ears  show- 
ing above  the  mud. 

We  remained  at  Valley  mountain  until  the  24th,  when 
Gen.  Lee  left  us  and  joined  Gen.  Floyd  on  SewelLs 
Mountain,  taking  all  the  troops  with  him  but  our  regi- 
ment, the  Irish  Battalion,  a  battery  of  artillery  and  a 
company  of  cavalry.  These  troops  were  left  in  com- 
mand of  Col.  Gilham  of  the  21st  Va.  Regt.  He  fell 
back  to  Middle  Mountain,  about  two  miles  from  Valley 
Mountain,  which  position  could  be  more  easily  defended. 
We  marched  to  the  place  of  our  encampment  on  Middle 
Mountain,  stacked  arms,  and  returned  to  Valley  Moun- 
tain for  our  camp  equipage.  Having  no  wagon,  we  had 
to  carry  everything  needed  on  our  backs,  and  had  to  make 
several  trips  to  do  it.  What  was  left  at  Valley  Moun- 
tain was  gathered  together  and  burned.  What  a  fall  for 
F  Company !  You  will  remember  that  we  left  Staunton 
with  five  wagons  loaded  with  baggage  belonging  to  the 
company.  We  are  now  moving  the  camp  of  our  regi- 
ment without  a  single  wagon. 

We  left  Middle  Mountain  on  the  28th,  after  a  heavy 
rain.  All  the  creeks  had  become  small  rivers,  and  as 
we  forded  them  the  water  came  up  to  our  waists.  We 
had  now  one  two-horse  and  one  three-horse  wagon  to 
move  everything  belonging  to  the  command,  and  began 
to  think,  as  Gen.  Loring  did,  that  we  were  men,  but  not 
soldiers.  After  a  short  march  each  day  we  reached 
Elk  Mountain  about  dark  on  Oct.  1.  A  detail  of  a  lieu- 
tenant and  six  men  and  a  non-commissioned  officer  was 


46   ONE  OF  JACKSON'S  FOOT  CAVALRY 

made  from  F  Company,  and  sent  back  eight  miles  on  the 
road  to  picket.  We  reached  our  destination  about  mid- 
night. Two  sentinels  were  posted  at  once,  one  in  the 
road,  the  other  in  a  path  that  led  over  the  mountain,  head- 
quarters of  the  camp  being  at  a  spring  on  the  road  near 
a  house,  but  on  the  opposite  side  of  the  road.  The  next 
morning,  not  long  after  day,  the  inmates  of  the  house, 
a  woman  and  her  children,  commenced  to  stir,  and  soon 
made  their  appearance.  About  sunrise  the  woman  came 
to  the  yard  fence,  and  commenced  to  abuse  us  in  the  most 
violent  language  I  ever  heard  from  a  woman.  It  was 
some  time  before  we  could  tell  why  she  was  abusing  us. 
She  had  quite  a  large  number  of  beehives,  and  the  troops 
marching  by  her  house  the  day  before  molested  none  of 
them.  When  she  arose  in  the  morning,  and  knew  that 
one  of  her  best  hives  was  gone,  and  a  squad  of  men  were 
at  her  spring,  it  was  quite  natural  that  she  should  think 
we  took  it.  Our  lieutenant,  Edward  Mayo,  tried  to  im- 
press on  her  that  we  did  not ;  but  she  knew  better,  as  she 
had  gone  to  bed  with  everything  all  right,  and  when  she 
awoke,  we  were  there  and  the  hive  was  gone.  This  was 
convincing  proof  to  her.  We  were  ordered  not  to  go  on 
her  side  of  the  road,  nor  have  any  talk  with  the  inmates 
of  the  house,  as  Lieutenant  Mayo  would  show  her  that 
we  were  gentlemen  at  any  rate.  We  had  no  rations,  as 
we  moved  in  the  night,  before  we  could  get  any.  It  is 
true  that  some  of  the  men  had  a  little  sugar  and  coffee, 
and  some  a  little  raw  meat  and  a  few  biscuit.  After  the 
old  lady  had  cooled  off,  as  we  supposed,  our  lieutenant 
went  over  to  the  house  and  tried  to  borrow  or  hire  a  cof- 
fee pot,  but  the  old  lady  said  she  would  see  him  and  us 
in  a  hot  place  sooner.  On  his  return  we  built  a  small 
fire,  boiled  the  meat,  and  divided  the  bread  amongst  us. 


ONE  OF  JACKSON'S  FOOT  CAVALRY   47 

The  woman  now,  to  add  to  our  misery,  commenced  to 
bring  out  her  milk  and  carry  it  to  the  hog  pen,  pouring 
gallon  after  gallon  to  the  hogs.  We  did  not  say  a  word 
to  any  of  the  household  during  the  day.  A  little  before 
night  our  lieutenant  went  over  again  to  see  what  he  could 
do,  and  with  the  offer  of  a  little  coffee,  an  article  he  found 
the  old  lady  was  very  fond  of  and  had  been  without  for 
some  time,  he  got  the  use  of  a  teakettle  to  make  some  cof- 
fee in,  and  she  baked  us  an  oven  of  corn  bread.  He 
carried  the  articles  back,  and  stayed  in  the  porch,  had 
quite  a  long  chat,  and  returning,  told  us  she  promised  to 
let  us  have  the  kettle  and  some  more  bread  in  the  morn- 
ing. In  the  morning  we  got  them,  with  the  promise  of 
a  dinner  for  the  party.  About  dinner  time  we  were 
relieved,  and  ordered  to  report  back  to  camp.  We  waited 
for  our  dinner,  and  the  old  lady  certainly  did  try  herself. 
She  gave  us  as  nice  a  dinner  as  we  ever  had,  including 
dessert,  which  made  amends  for  the  way  in  which  she  first 
treated  us.  She  also  apologized,  and  we  left  truly 
friends,  and  all  kissed  the  baby. 

We  left  Elk  Mountain  on  the  9th,  for  Edray,  march- 
ing amidst  the  most  beautiful  scenery  I  ever  saw,  the 
trees  having  taken  on  their  brilliant  colors  of  fall.  We 
remained  in  Edray  and  had  a  picket  on  Elk  Mountain 
until  the  14th,  when  we  moved  to  Greenbrier  river.  Soon 
after  leaving  our  camp  and  getting  into  the  road,  we 
passed  two  men  who  were  sitting  on  the  ground,  facing 
a  rail  fence.  Their  hands  and  feet  were  put  through  the 
rails,  and  tied  together  on  the  opposite  side  of  the  fence, 
in  such  a  position  that  they  could  not  move.  A  little 
further  on,  we  passed  two  who  were  lying  on  top  of  the 
fence,  their  hands  and  feet  tied  to  some  of  the  rails  under- 
neath, so  as  to  keep  them  from  moving.     These  men  had 


48   ONE  OF  JACKSON'S  FOOT  CAVALRY 

been  guilty  of  disobeying  some  order,  and  were  punished 
in  that  manner. 

We  went  regularly  into  camp,  on  the  banks  of  the  beau- 
tiful Greenbrier,  on  a  piece  of  low  ground  that  was  al- 
most level,  affording  plenty  of  room  for  camp  and  drill. 
It  was  a  magnificent  camp.  The  weather  was  fine,  and 
the  time  of  year  such  as  to  make  it  bracing;  the  men  soon 
improved  so  much,  and  fattened  too,  that  they  became 
better  looking  than  when  they  left  home.  We  had  a 
picket  on  the  other  side  of  Edray,  about  twelve  miles 
from  camp.  About  fifteen  men  and  an  officer  went  and 
stayed  three  days.  It  was  my  fortune  to  go  there  with 
the  first  detail,  and  I  went  again  afterwards,  and  I 
thought  it  the  most  delightful  duty  of  the  war. 

While  we  were  in  this  camp  we  were  informed  that  in 
a  few  days  there  would  be  an  election  for  President  and 
Vice-President  of  the  Confederate  States  of  America. 
This  had  been  talked  about  with  much  interest  for  some 
time,  but  without  the  usual  excitement  of  an  election,  as 
there  was  only  one  ticket  in  the  field.  All  the  South 
looked  to  Mr.  Davis  as  their  leader,  and  no  other  person 
was  even  thought  of.  Much  interest  was  taken  by  the 
soldiers,  as  it  would  be  the  first  election  held  in  camp. 
They  discussed  as  to  who  were  entitled  to  vote,  and 
where  the  voting  place  would  be  located.  On  a  cloudy 
morning  in  November  it  was  announced  that  the  eventful 
day  had  arrived,  and  the  precinct  was  open.  Some  of  the 
regiment  had  been  appointed  judges.  The  voting  pre- 
cinct was  in  a  tent  in  our  camp,  across  the  entrance  of 
which  a  pole  had  been  placed,  to  mark  the  line  between 
the  voters  and  judges.  It  had  been  decided  that  all  en- 
listed soldiers,  regardless  of  age,  that  were  of  good  stand- 
ing, could  vote.     The  following  ticket  was  eagerly  voted : 


ONE  OF  JACKSON'S  FOOT  CAVALRY   49 

Virginia  Electoral  Ticket 
Election  November  6th,  1861. 

For  President 
Jefferson  Davis, 
of  Mississippi. 

For  Vice-President 

Alex.  H.  Stevens, 

of  Georgia. 

Electors 
For  the  State  at  Large 
John  R.  Edmunds*  Halifax. 
A.  T.  Caperton,  Monroe. 

For  the  District 
1  st.      Joseph  Christian,  Middlesex. 
2nd.     Cincinnatus  W.  Newton,  Norfolk  City. 
3rd.     R.  T.  Daniel,   Richmond  City. 
4th.     W.  F.  Thompson,  Dinwiddie. 
5th.     Wood  Bouldin,  Charlotte. 
6th.     W.  L.  Goggin,  Bedford. 
7th.     B.  F.  Randolph,  Albemarle. 
8th.     James  W.  Walker,  Madison. 
9th.     Asa  Rogers,  Loudoun. 
10th.  Samuel  C.  Williams,  Shenandoah, 
nth.  Samuel  M.  D.  Reid,  Rockbridge. 
1 2th.  H.  A.  Edmundson,  Roanoke. 
13th.  J.  W.  Sheffey,  Smyth. 
14th.   H.  J.  Fisher,  Mason. 
15th.  Joseph  Johnson,  Harrison. 
1 6th.  E.  H.  Fitzhugh,  Ohio. 


50   ONE  OF  JACKSON'S  FOOT  CAVALRY 

The  election  passed  off  with  much  enthusiasm,  and  at 
the  close  of  day,  when  it  was  announced  that  the  entire 
regiment  had  voted  for  Jefferson  Davis  and  Alex.  H. 
Stevens,  there  were  loud  and  repeated  cheers  for  them 
and  the  Confederacy. 

One  morning  while  we  were  in  the  camp,  the  guard 
near  the  river  reported  a  deer  swimming  the  river,  and 
making  for  the  middle  of  our  camp.     All  was  in  com- 
motion in  a  minute.     The  deer  came  over  and  ran  down 
the  middle  street  of  our  encampment,  and  took  to  the 
hills  in  the  rear.     Many  men  took  their  guns  and  went 
in   pursuit,    I   amongst   the   rest ;   and,   hoping   to   head 
the  deer  off  and  get  a  shot.  I  ran  in  an  oblique  direc- 
tion to  the  top  of  the  hill,  but  did  not  see  the  deer,  as 
it  had  been  turned  the  other  way  by  some  of  the  men. 
The  exertion  made  me  breathe  rapidly,  and  I  took  my 
time    back    to    camp.     One    of    the    guard    quietly    ap- 
proached, told  me  I  was  arrested,  and  marched  me  to 
the  guard  house,  which  was  the  shade  of  a  tree  on  the 
river    side.     During    my    absence,    an    order    had    been 
issued  to  the  guard  to  arrest  every  man  found  with  a 
gun    in    his    hand ;    my   comrades,    being    near    enough, 
heard    the    order    given,    dropped    their    guns,    quietly 
walked  into  camp,  and  afterwards  went  back  for  them. 
I     was    the    only    man    arrested.     Another    deer    ran 
through    our    camp    before    we    left.     We    made    ex- 
cursions    in     the     neighborhood,     sometimes      fording 
the     river,     sometimes     mounting     a     log     and     riding 
over  on  that,  often  getting  a  ducking  by  the  logs  turn- 
ing. 

We  left  Greenbrier  river  on  November  nth,  and 
reached  the  Warm  Springs  the  night  of  the  13th,  march- 
ing twenty-two  miles  that  day,  the  last  live    (on  Peter 


ONE  OF  JACKSON'S  FOOT  CAVALRY   51 

Sublett's  dead  level)  all  the  way  up  hill!  The  hotel 
was  open  at  that  time,  and  the  officers  of  F  Company- 
treated  the  company  to  supper.  I  cannot  tell  you  of 
that  supper.  I  only  know  none  was  ever  enjoyed  more. 
After  supper  we  took  a  bath  in  the  warm  pool,  and  as 
the  atmosphere  was  cool,  we  thought  the  water  hot, 
but  we  enjoyed  it.  Next  morning  the  men  of  F  Com- 
pany took  breakfast  at  the  hotel,  and  we  marched  to  the 
Bath  Alum  Springs,  pitched  tents,  and  went  regularly 
into  camp.  We  had  a  good  snow  here.  Our  camp 
was  on  the  edge  of  a  piece  of  land  that  had  been  re- 
cently cleared  of  its  wood,  the  wood  being  cut  into 
logs  about  eight  feet  long,  and  piled  ready  for  burning. 
Every  day  we  toted  enough  of  these  logs  to  our  tents  to 
make  a  great  fire  that  would  last  about  twenty-four 
hours.  At  night  we  gathered  around  these  fires,  and 
had  a  big  time  telling  tales,  singing,  etc.  I  think  the 
company  enjoyed  this  camp  very  much.  Here  a  com- 
rade, J.  E.  Mayo,  and  I  took  our  muskets  and  went  out 
of  camp  to  see  if  we  could  get  a  deer;  we  cut  our  bul- 
lets into  slugs  and  loaded  with  them.  We  had  not  gone 
more  than  three  hundred  yards  when  two  deer  sprang 
up,  but  wre  thought  they  were  too  far  for  our  slugs. 
A  little  farther  on  we  came  to  a  branch  that  seemed  to 
run  around  a  hill.  It  was  agreed  that  he  should  go 
over  the  hill,  and  I  would  follow  the  branch ;  and  when 
he  got  in  sight  of  the  branch,  he  should  halloo.  I 
waited  for  the  signal,  and  hearing  it,  started  up  the 
bottom,  went  a  short  distance,  jumped  a  doe,  called  out 
to  him  to  look  out,  and  soon  heard  a  shot  which  killed 
the  deer.  We  carried  it  at  once  to  camp,  and  had  a  big 
time  over  our  deer.  We  stayed  at  Bath  Alum  Springs 
until  the  30th,   when  we  marched  to   Milboro,   staying 


52   ONE  OF  JACKSON'S  FOOT  CAVALRY 

there  until  December  4th,  and  then  took  the  cars  for 
Staunton. 

We  left  Millboro  late  in  the  evening  on  flat  cars,  and 
did  not  reach  the  camping  place  on  the  side  of  the  rail- 
road near  Staunton  until  late  in  the  night.  That  was 
a  fearful  ride  at  that  season  of  the  year;  it  was  cold, 
and  our  riding  on  a  fiat  car  made  it  more  so.  The 
water  tank  at  Panther  Gap  was  literally  one  mass  of 
ice ;  some  of  the  men  got  a  small  quantity  of  wood  and 
built  fires  in  the  spiders  and  ovens  that  afforded  a  little 
warmth  for  a  few.  It  was  only  a  few  minutes  after 
leaving  the  cars  before  we  had  trees  cut  down  and 
rousing  fires  going.  Did  it  ever  occur  to  the  reader 
how  quickly  soldiers  could  make  fires?  It  made  no 
difference  whether  it  was  raining,  snowing,  or  blowing 
a  great  gale,  in  five  minutes  after  getting  into  camp,  a 
regiment  would  have  fifty  fires  burning.  Wet  wood 
and  green  wood  made  no  difference. 

While  we  were  in  this  camp,  we  elected  officers  to 
fill  the  vacancy  occasioned  by  the  resignation  of  First 
Lieutenant  Edward  Mayo.  P.  A.  Wellford  was  made 
first  lieutenant,  H.  T.  Miller  second,  and  W.  Granville 
Gray,  Junior,  second. 


V 


THE    VALLEY    OF    VIRGINIA 


We  were  encamped  in  Augusta  County,  about  one  and 
a  half  miles  north  of  Staunton.  In  the  valley,  that  great 
place  for  wheat,  flour,  and  hogs,  and  democrats,  the 
latter  could  always  be  heard  from  in  counting  the  votes 
after  an  election. 

We  remained  here  until  the  ioth  of  December,  when 
we  took  up  our  march  to  join  Jackson  at  Winchester. 
We  marched  along  quietly  each  day,  until  we  reached  Mt. 
Jackson  on  the  20th.  It  was  the  custom,  during  the 
war,  to  march  with  the  right  of  the  regiment  in  front 
one  day,  and  the  left  next  day.  On  the  20th  the  left 
was  marching  in  front.  That  threw  our  company  in 
the  rear,  as  we  were  the  right  company.  During  the 
day  the  left  led  off  several  times  in  quick  time,  which 
gave  our  company  hard  marching.  Few  know  how 
much  easier  it  is  to  march  in  front  of  a  regiment  than 
in  the  rear.  That  night  our  company  decided  that  we 
would  get  even  next  day  with  the  left,  and  if  the  of- 
ficers did  not  interfere,  we  would  give  it  to  them. 
Soon  after  getting  into  the  road  the  next  morning,  our 
captain  told  Sergeant  Rawlings,  who  was  leading  the 
company,  to  step  out.  Now  Sergeant  Rawlings  was 
just  the  man  to  do  it,  as  he  was  a  powerful  man  phys- 
ically, with  great  endurance.  He  stepped  out  at  quick 
time,  and  kept  that  pace  during  the  march.  In  six 
hours  and  a  half  after  leaving  Mt.  Jackson,  we  went 
into    camp    at    Strasburg,    marching    twenty-three    and 

53 


54   ONE  OF  JACKSON'S  FOOT  CAVALRY 

one-half  miles.  It  was  said  by  some  of  the  boys  who 
timed  us,  that  we  marched  three  miles  at  one  time  in 
thirty-three  minutes.  This  was  the  quickest  march  we 
made  during  the  war.  We  had  a  snow  storm  while 
at  Strasburg,  and  marched  to  Winchester  on  the  25th, 
passing  through  the  town  the  next  day,  going  into  camp 
on  the  Romney  Road.  In  marching  through  Winches- 
ter, as  we  filed  to  the  left  at  one  of  the  cross  streets,  we 
saw  standing  in  the  crowd  on  the  sidewalk  a  man  with 
full  dark  whiskers  and  hair,  dressed  in  uniform,  wear- 
ing a  long  dark  blue  overcoat  with  a  large  cape,  his 
coat  reaching  to  his  boots,  which  were  worn  outside  of 
his  pants  in  regular  military  style,  and  on  them  were 
bright  spurs.  His  head  was  covered  by  a  faded  gray 
cap,  pulled  down  so  far  over  his  face  that  between  cap 
and  whiskers  one  could  see  very  little  of  it;  but  as  we 
passed  we  caught  a  glimpse  of  a  pair  of  dark  flashing 
eyes  from  underneath  the  brim  of  his  cap.  That  man 
was  Stonewall  Jackson,  and  this  was  our  first  sight  of 
him. 

In  our  march  on  the  third  day  after  leaving  Staunton, 
we  met  a  woman  riding  a  horse ;  she  had  five  children 
on  this  same  horse.  She  had  large  bags,  fastened  to- 
gether after  the  fashion  of  saddle  bags,  on  the  horse 
behind  the  saddle,  and  a  child's  head  was  looking  out 
on  each  side  of  the  horse,  two  children  were  on  the 
horse  behind  her,  and  a  baby  in  her  arms.  When  she 
came  into  our  midst,  and  realized  that  the  war  was 
actually  going  on,  she  broke  down  and  commenced  to 
cry.  One  of  our  officers  rode  up  to  her,  hat  in  hand 
and  with  the  politeness  of  a  Virginian,  said  some  pleas- 
ant word  to  her.  This,  and  the  respect  shown  her  by 
the  passing  men,  soon  restored  her.     She  said  her  hus- 


ONE  OF  JACKSON'S  FOOT  CAVALRY   55 

band  was  in  the  army,  and  she,  fearing  to  stay  at  their 
home  by  herself  in  the  lower  valley,  was  going  to  her 
mother's  higher  up,  where  she  hoped  to  be  out  of  reach 
of  the  enemy,  in  case  the  lower  valley  should  be  aban- 
doned by  our  army.  She  would  have  to  travel  about 
fifty  miles.  The  children  seemed  to  be  in  splendid  spirits 
and  to  enjoy  our  passing.  Although  this  was  a  sight 
none  of  us  ever  saw  before,  every  one  treated  her  with 
the  respect  due  the  first  lady  of  the  land.  Here  is  war, 
real  war.  Such  scenes  as  families  leaving  home  with 
nothing  but  what  they  could  carry  on  their  person,  was 
witnessed  many  times  by  the  writer. 

In  going  down  the  valley,  we  had  a  feast  all  the  way; 
the  people  had  just  finished  killing  hogs,  and  every 
house  had  sausage,  spare  ribs,  chine,  liver,  etc.,  to  give 
us.  We  passed  Lacy's  Spring  or  Big  Spring  for  the 
first  time,  situated  on  the  side  of  the  pike.  The  volume 
of  water  from  this  spring  is  large  enough  to  run  a  large 
mill,  and  it  looked  more  like  a  small  river  than  a  spring 
branch. 

At  that  time  everything  in  the  valley  had  a  thrifty 
look,  the  horses  and  cattle  were  fat  and  sleek,  the  large 
barns  overflowing  with  the  gathered  crops,  the  houses 
which  were  small  in  comparison  with  the  barns,  looked 
comfortable,  the  fences,  post  and  rail  or  stone,  were  in 
splendid  order ;  in  fact  everything  looked  well,  and 
showed  a  thriving  population.  It  was  truly  a  land  of 
milk  and  honey. 

While  in  camp  at  Winchester,  the  Irish  Battalion 
and  the  48th,  42d,  and  21st  Va.  Regiments  were  formed 
into  a  brigade,  and  were  known  as  the  second  brigade 
of  Jackson's  division.  Col.  Win.  Gilham,  being  the 
ranking  officer,  took  command.     The  marching  we  had 


56   ONE  OF  JACKSON'S  FOOT  CAVALRY 

now  done  made  all  of  us  discard  everything  but  neces- 
saries, and  we  began  to  think  that  Ritchie  Green  did  a 
very  smart  thing,  when  we  left  Richmond,  to  carry 
nothing  in  his  knapsack  but  one  paper  collar  and  a  plug 
of  tobacco! 

We  elected  a  lieutenant  here,  to  fill  the  vacancy  occa- 
sioned by  the  resignation  of  Second  Lieutenant  Henry 
T.  Miller.  W.  Granville  Gray  was  made  second  lieu- 
tenant, and  James  B.   Payne,  junior,  second  lieutenant. 


VI 


BATH    AND   ROMNEY 


Gen.  Jackson  having  decided  on  a  winter  campaign, 
marched  his  army  from  the  neighborhood  of  Winches- 
ter January  i,  1862,  a  beautiful  day,  the  sun  shining 
brightly  and  the  atmosphere  bracing.  The  second  bri- 
gade camped  near  Pughtown  that  night,  the  21st  Va. 
Regt.  in  a  large  wood,  where  gathering  the  fresh  fallen 
leaves  into  large  piles,  placing  our  oilcloths  on  them 
and  laying  down,  covering  with  our  blankets,  we  en- 
joyed the  bed  as  much  as  any  we  ever  slept  on. 

We  marched  the  next  morning  at  early  dawn,  and  at 
night  camped  at  Unger's  X  Roads.  The  next  day,  the 
3d,  we  met  the  enemy  about  five  miles  from  Bath,  Mor- 
gan County.  The  21st  Va.  Regt.  was  marching  near 
the  rear  of  the  column.  Gen.  Jackson  sent  an  order  for  F 
Company  to  report  to  the  front,  and  we  marched  by  our 
troops,  who  had  halted  in  the  road.  When  we  reached 
the  front,  we  halted  and  were  ordered  to  load,  which 
was  done  under  fire,  as  the  enemy  were  a  short  dis- 
tance in  front,  on  a  hill  behind  a  fence.  As  soon  as 
we  had  loaded,  we  were  deployed  as  skirmishers,  and 
ordered  forward  through  a  wood,  halting-  on  its  edge 
behind  a  fence.  There  we  became  heavily  engaged 
with  the  enemy,  and  kept  up  a  fire  until  it  was  too  dark 
to  see.  Firing  ceased,  and  returning  to  our  regiment, 
we  went  into  camp.  This  was  the  first  real  fight  of  the 
company,    and    the    men    behaved    splendidly.     William 

57 


58   ONE  OF  JACKSON'S  FOOT  CAVALRY 

Exall  was  killed  and  Lieut.  James  B.  Payne  seriously 
wounded. 

It  snowed  during  the  night  and  the  weather  became 
very  cold. 

The  enemy  were  at  Bath  in  force.  In  the  morning 
Gen.  Jackson  advanced  on  their  position  in  three  col- 
umns, the  second  brigade  moving  along  the  road  with 
F  Company  as  advance  guard.  We  moved  slowly,  in 
order  to  let  a  column  on  our  left  get  into  position  on 
the  mountain  ridge.  We  came  in  sight  of  the  enemy, 
who  were  in  line  of  battle  on  that  ridge,  about  one  and 
a  half  miles  from  Bath.  Our  column  had  marched  along 
the  road  until  it  got  almost  on  the  flank  of  their  line, 
before  they  moved.  It  was  too  far  for  musket  firing, 
but  the  men  of  each  side  engaged  in  much  abuse  of  each 
other.  As  soon  as  our  skirmish  line  on  the  ridge  came 
within  shooting  distance,  firing  commenced,  and  the 
enemy  began  to  retreat.  Gen.  Jackson  now  arrived  at 
the  front  and  took  the  lead  on  horseback,  a  few  cour- 
iers following  him;  as  he  passed  our  company,  he  or- 
dered us  to  double  quick,  and  we  soon  ran.  This  was 
a  grand  sight.  The  second  brigade  marching  by  the 
flank  and  running  down  the  road,  the  Yankees  in  sight 
on  the  ridge  to  our  left,  running  too,  our  column  on 
the  ridge  following  them  as  fast  as  they  could  run! 
In  this  way  our  column  entered  Bath,  going  through 
the  village,  doubling  back  on  the  road  which  wound  up 
the  ridge.  When  we  reached  the  top  of  the  ridge,  we 
could  see  the  Yankees  disappearing  at  the  far  end  of  a 
field,  going  toward  the  Potomac  river.  Wre  followed, 
but  the  road  ran  through  a  defile,  and  we  could  not  go 
as  fast  as  the  enemy,  because  we  had  to  look  out  for 
their  rear  guard,   who  occasionally  came  in  sight  and 


ONE  OF  JACKSON'S  FOOT  CAVALRY       59 

fired.  The  enemy  went  over  the  river  during  the  night. 
We  captured  some  stores  and  a  few  prisoners. 

I  saw  Col.  Turner  Ashby  to-day  for  the  first  time ;  he 
impressed  me  as  being  a  dashing  man.  He  passed  us 
with  a  company  of  cavalry,  taking  a  road  to  our  left. 
One  of  our  columns  following  on  another  road,  had  a 
spirited  combat  with  the  enemy.  On  the  next  day,  the 
5th,  Gen.  Jackson  moved  his  force  towards  Hancock,  a 
village  on  the  Maryland  side  of  the  Potomac.  He  sent 
for  F  Company  to  come  to  the  front  and  lead  the  col- 
umn across  the  river;  a  high  honor  to  come  from  him. 
We  marched  out  of  camp  singing,  and  kept  it  up  until 
we  arrived  at  the  front.  While  we  were  singing  the 
"  Pirate's  Glee,"  and  were  well  in  the  chorus,  every 
man  having  joined  in  with  a  zest,  and  had  taken  up  the 
inspiring  words,  "  We'll  nail  the  black  flag  to  the  mast," 
we  came  suddenly  on  Gen.  Jackson.  He  pulled  off  his 
cap,  and  his  eyes  twinkled  with  evident  delight  as  we 
passed. 

We  marched  to  a  certain  point  and  halted,  and  stayed 
there  several  hours,  the  Yankees  throwing  a  shell  at  us 
occasionally  from  a  battery  in  Hancock.  The  ground 
was  covered  with  snow,  and  it  was  cold,  and  we  were 
not  allowed  to  make  fires.  As  night  approached,  we 
marched  back  and  with  our  regiment,  camped  for  the 
night.  It  was  snowing  and  hailing,  which  continued 
all  night,  and  was  intensely  cold.  The  ground  the  next 
morning  was  covered  several  inches  with  snow  and 
ice.  Gen.  Jackson  gave  up  the  advance  on  this  road, 
owing  to  the  ice  in  the  Potomac  river,  and  on  the  8th 
we  returned  to  lingers  X  Roads.  The  march  was  a 
terrible  one;  the  road  had  become  one  sheet  of  ice  from 
frequent  marching  over  it,  and  the  men  would  march 


60   ONE  OF  JACKSON'S  FOOT  CAVALRY 

in  the  side  ditches  and  in  the  woods,  where  it  was  prac- 
ticable ;  guns  were  constantly  being  fired  by  the  men 
falling,  and  many  accidents  were  occasioned  thereby. 
In  some  instances  the  horses  had  to  be  taken  from  the 
cannon  and  wagons,  and  men  with  chains  and  ropes 
pulled  them,  the  horses  being  sent  forward  through  the 
woods ;  and  at  many  hills,  the  pioneers  had  to  cut  small 
trenches  across  the  road,  in  order  that  the  men  might 
have  a  footing.  It  was  late  in  the  night  when  we 
stopped  to  camp.  Although  the  men  underwent  great 
exertion  in  this  march,  the  cold  was  so  intense  that 
their  suffering  was  great.  I  saw  Gen.  Jackson  march- 
ing along  the  road  on  foot  with  the  men  several  times. 
Col.  Gilliam  and  Major  Shipp  of  the  21st  Va.  Regt. 
received  an  order  to  report  to  the  Va.  Military  Institute 
for  duty,  and  they  left  on  the  Qth.  The  men  had 
become  very  much  attached  to  both,  and  were  sorry  to 
give  them  up.  As  a  token  of  their  respect,  F  Company 
purchased  a  fine  horse  and  presented  it  to  Col.  Gilham, 
attaching  to  the  bridle  one  of  our  F's.  The  next  day 
we  had  hail  again;  the  second  brigade  marched  only 
about  four  miles,  marching  as  they  did  the  day  before, 
men  to  help  cannon  and  wagons.  The  next  day  my 
regiment  marched  about  five  hundred  yards,  and  the 
head  of  the  brigade  marched  about  four  miles.  Owing 
to  the  terrible  weather,  our  line  was  scattered  over  ten 
miles  of  road.  My  mess  was  so  near  the  camping  place 
of  last  night,  that  we  went  back  to  it,  put  the  chunks 
together,  and  in  a  short  time  were  comfortable  and 
asleep  for  the  night,  rejoining  the  company  in  the  morn- 
ing in  time  for  roll  call.  The  only  way  we  could  get 
along  at  all  was  to  have  heavy  details  of  men  with 
each  wagon  and   cannon  to  help,  and  at  times  to  pull 


ONE  OF  JACKSON'S  FOOT  CAVALRY   61 

them.  Each  day  was  colder  than  the  day  before,  and 
we  crossed  most  of  the  streams,  cannon,  wagons,  and 
men,  on  the  ice. 

On  the  14th  it  snowed  and  hailed  again.  In  our 
march  we  passed  for  several  miles  along  the  road  a 
growth  of  flat  cedar  or  arbor  vitse.  We  continued  our 
march  in  the  same  way,  until  we  reached  the  neighbor- 
hood of  Romney  on  the  17th.  There  the  head  of  the 
column  had  quite  a  spirited  combat  with  the  enemy, 
capturing  their  camp  and  some  stores.  The  second  bri- 
gade went  into  camp  in  a  wood  near  the  town,  and 
picketed  the  road  we  had  marched  over.  Here  the  sun 
came  out  and  shone  on  us,  the  first  time  for  nineteen 
days. 

Our  mess  lost  its  "  spider "  on  this  march,  and  I 
thought  one  might  be  purchased  in  the  neighborhood  to 
replace  it.  One  day  I  took  a  stroll  into  the  country  to 
get  one,  and  went  to  several  houses  without  success. 
Finally  I  came  to  a  very  comfortable  looking  house, 
and  found  an  old  lady  who  was  very  talkative.  She 
made  many  inquiries  where  we  were  from,  how  long 
we  were  going  to  stay,  etc. ;  she  seemed  particularly 
pleased  on  learning  I  was  from  Richmond,  and  we  had 
a  long  chat  about  the  city.  I  finally  told  her  what  I 
wanted.  She  called  a  servant  girl  and  held  a  consulta- 
tion, and  finally  decided  that  she  would  let  me  have  a 
certain  oven  that  was  too  large  for  her  family.  It  was 
brought  from  one  of  the  outhouses  and  a  bargain  was 
made,  after  much  discussion.  She  wished  to  know  if  it 
suited  me.  It  was  an  unusually  large  one,  and  had  a 
broken  lid.  It  did  not  suit  me,  but  was  the  only  one 
I  had  been  able  to  get,  and  I  told  her  that  it  did. 
As  to  the  price,  she  did  not  know  what  to  say.     She 


62   ONE  OF  JACKSON'S  FOOT  CAVALRY 

finally  said,  "  That  is  a  good  oven.  I  bought  it  in  Win- 
chester sixteen  years  ago,  and  gave  two  dollars  and 
fifty  cents  for  it.  It's  a  good  oven,  even  if  the  lid  is 
cracked  (a  piece  was  broken  out  of  it),  it's  done  me 
good  service.  Well,  as  you  want  it,  under  the  circum- 
stances, you  may  have  it  for  two  dollars  and  seventy- 
five  cents."  That  took  all  the  wind  out  of  me;  I  am 
sure  you  could  have  knocked  me  down  with  a  feather, 
but  I  paid  her  the  money,  and  the  service  that  oven 
rendered  us  proved  it  was  a  bargain. 

The  first  night  or  two  after  the  ground  became  cov- 
ered with  snow.  We  cleaned  the  snow  off,  so  as  to  have 
the  ground  to  lie  on,  but  the  thawing  of  the  ground 
underneath  us  made  it  muddy,  and  our  oilcloths  would 
be  badly  soiled  when  we  got  up  in  the  morning;  we 
then  tried  the  snow,  and  found  it  made  a  better  bed 
and  was  equally  as  warm.  After  that,  we  never  re- 
moved the  snow  on  going  into  camp.  Some  nights  Ave 
would  spread  our  tent  on  the  snow,  put  our  oilcloths  on 
that,  and  a  blanket  on  that,  then  the  party  would  lie 
down,  a  comrade  cover  them  up  with  the  remaining 
blankets,  and  then  throw  the  sides  of  the  tent  over  that, 
leaving  nothing  but  the  head  out ;  he  would  then  crawl 
from  the  bottom  into  his  place.  In  this  way  I  managed 
to  sleep  very  comfortably  several  nights  on  this  expe- 
dition. 

On  the  24th,  the  21st  Va.  Regt.  marched  into  the 
town  of  Romney,  taking  up  its  quarters  in  the  houses 
that  had  been  deserted.  F  Company  had  the  bank 
building.  We  lived  well  there ;  my  mess  employed  an 
old  darky,  about  two  squares  off,  to  cook  our  rations, 
she  adding  to  them  any  good  thing  she  could  get. 
There  was  a  hotel  that  had  buckwheat  cakes  in  splendid 


ONE  OF  JACKSON'S  FOOT  CAVALRY   63 

style,  fine  butter  and  syrup  for  breakfast,  and  only 
charged  twenty-five  cents  for  meals.  It  took  only  three 
days  for  us  to  eat  it  out. 

Gen.  Jackson  left  us  here,  going  to  Winchester  and 
taking  a  part  of  his  force  with  him,  leaving  Gen.  Lor- 
ing  in  command  at  Romney.  We  staid  until  the  even- 
ing of  February  3d,  when  Romney  was  given  up,  and 
Gen.  Loring's  force  was  marched  towards  Winchester. 
We  marched  late  in  the  night,  and  it  snowed  again. 
Our  wagons  had  gone  ahead,  and  when  I  arrived  at 
their  camping  place,  I  sat  down  on  a  bucket  at  one  of 
the  wagoner's  fire  to  warm,  fell  asleep,  and  stayed 
on  my  bucket  until  morning!  We  reached  Winchester 
on  the  6th,  and  went  into  camp,  after  being  away  a 
little  over  a  month,  undergoing  the  most  terrible  experi- 
ence during  the  war.  Many  men  were  frozen  to  death, 
others  frozen  so  badly  they  never  recovered,  and  the 
rheumatism  contracted  by  many  was  never  gotten  rid 
of.  Many  of  the  men  were  incapacitated  for  service, 
large  numbers  were  barefooted,  having  burned  their 
shoes  while  trying  to  warm  their  feet  at  the  fires. 

Do  any  of  my  readers  recollect  Randall  Evans  at 
Winchester?  He  is  the  old  colored  man  who  could  get 
up  such  famous  dinners.  After  a  long  time  in  camp, 
or  on  a  march  with  the  usual  army  fare,  to  go  to  Ran- 
dall Evans,  and  get  a  meal  such  as  he  could  serve, 
would  make  one  forget  all  about  bread  and  beef,  both 
without  salt!  I  never  saw  a  soldier  leave  his  place  who 
was  not  perfectly  satisfied  with  the  army  and  every- 
thing else,  and  it  was  brought  about  by  being  full  of 
food,  as  Randall  did  not  keep  anything  to  drink.  What 
Tom  Griffin  was  to  Richmond,  so  was  Randall  Evans 
to  Winchester.  After  the  Romney  campaign,  we  came 
very  near  eating  Randall  out. 


VII 

WINCHESTER  EVACUATED 1 862. 

Gen.  Jackson  sent  several  regiments  of  his  army  to 
Gen.  Johnston  at  Manassas.  We  remained  in  our  camp 
on  the  Romney  road  until  the  27th  of  February,  when  my 
brigade  marched  through  Winchester  and  camped  on 
the  Berryville  road,  staying  there  until  March  7th ;  at 
which  time  we  marched  through  Winchester,  and 
camped  on  the  Staunton  pike,  where  we  stayed  until  the 
nth.  Then  everything  was  packed,  and  we  were 
ready  for  a  general  move.  These  movements  were  occa- 
sioned by  the  enemy  having  crossed  the  Potomac,  and 
it  being  reported  that  they  would  advance  on  Winches- 
ter. We  marched  through  Winchester  again,  this  time 
to  the  Martinsburg  road,  as  we  heard  that  the  enemy 
were  advancing  on  this  road,  and  were  not  far  off. 
They  were  commanded  by  Gen.  Banks,  afterwards 
known  as  Jackson's  commissary,  who  later  supplied  our 
army  so  bountifully.  Gen.  Jackson  made  disposition  to 
meet  them.  A  line  of  battle  was  formed  across  the 
pike,  a  battery  placed  on  Fort  Hill  and  the  21st  Va.  Regt. 
ordered  to  support  it.  We  took  our  position  along  with 
the  battery  and  lay  down  awaiting  the  enemy.  We 
heard  occasional  guns  in  our  front.  When  night  came 
the  enemy  had  not  made  their  appearance. 

Gen.  Jackson  considered  the  enemy  too  strong  for 
him,  and  withdrew  during  the  night,  marching  through 
Winchester  a  short  distance,  and  resting  until  morning. 
Then   we   continued   our   march    slowly   up   the   valley, 

64 


ONE  OF  JACKSON'S  FOOT  CAVALRY      65 

until  we  reached  Mt.  Jackson  on  the  18th.  The  second 
brigade  went  into  camp  about  one  mile  below  Mt.  Jack- 
son, and  the  balance  of  the  army  marched  to  Rude's 
Hill,  about  two  miles  above  that  village,  where  they 
camped.  We  sent  a  picket  down  the  valley  pike  and 
on  the  20th  marched  to  Rude's  Hill  and  joined  the  bal- 
ance of  our  little  army.  The  enemy  had  followed  us 
slowly,  but  at  Mt.  Jackson  stopped,  and  retired  down 
the  valley. 

Gen.  Jackson  was  a  great  man  for  saving  everything 
captured  from  the  enemy.  His  way  was  to  save  every- 
thing already  on  hand  and  never  destroy  if  there  was 
a  chance  to  save.  It  was  a  saying  in  the  command 
that  he  would  carry  off  a  wheelbarrow  load,  rather  than 
let  it  fall  into  the  hands  of  the  enemy.  While  we  were 
camped  around  Winchester,  he  was  diligently  at  work 
getting  everything  out  of  reach  of  the  enemy,  in  case 
he  should  be  compelled  to  leave ;  even  the  locomotives 
and  cars,  that  were  captured  at  Martinsburg,  were  sent 
to  the  rear.  Because  the  valley  pike  was  such  an  ex- 
cellent road,  he  could  do  this.  He  sent  parties  of  men 
along  the  pike,  who  cut  down  trees,  and  used  the  timber 
in  bracing  the  bridges  to  enable  them  to  endure  great 
weight.  When  everything  was  ready,  large  teams  of 
horses  and  mules  were  hitched  to  the  locomotives  and 
cars  at  Martinsburg,  and  they  were  hauled  to  Strasburg, 
a  distance  of  about  fifty  miles,  where  they  were  put  on 
the  Manassas  Gap  railroad  for  the  use  of  the  Confed- 
eracy. In  this  way  many  locomotives  and  cars  were 
saved.  During  this  movement,  I  saw  at  one  time  five 
cars  on  their  way  to  Strasburg. 


VIII 

KERNSTOWN 

Gen.  Jackson's  army  was  now  at  Rude's  Hill.  The 
enemy  had  retired  from  our  front  to  obtain,  as  we  sup- 
posed, a  better  camping  place.  On  the  evening  of  March 
2 1st,  we  received  orders  to  cook  three  days'  rations, 
and  be  ready  to  move  at  early  dawn  the  next  morning. 
When  the  line  was  formed  in  the  morning,  and  we 
marched  to  the  road,  instead  of  turning  up  the  valley 
pike,  as  we  supposed  our  course  would  be,  we  took  a 
quick  march  in  the  direction  of  the  enemy,  and  soon 
passed  through  Mt.  Jackson. 

The  day  was  raw  and  blustering.  We  marched 
twenty-seven  miles,  stopped  near  Fisher's  Hill  and 
bivouacked  for  the  night.  Early  the  next  morning  we 
marched,  and  kept  it  up,  until  we  reached  Barton's  Mill, 
about  noon,  having  marched  about  sixteen  miles.  Our 
brigade  stopped  to  rest  until  most  of  the  troops  came 
up.  We  had  heard  cannon  firing  in  our  front  and  knew 
our  advance  under  Ashby  had  overtaken  the  enemy. 
It  was  a  surprise  to  the  men  that  we  had  come  so  far 
without  encountering  them.  But  it  was  known  to  Gen. 
Jackson  that  they  had  fallen  back  to  the  neighborhood 
of  Winchester,  and  were  sending  some  of  their  number 
away  to  join  their  army  at  Manassas.  Our  march  was 
to  find  out  what  they  were  doing.  It  wras  ascertained 
that  they  had  made  a  stand  at  Kernstown. 

The  2  ist  Va.  Regiment  was  now  ordered  forward, 
and  after  going  down  the  pike  a  short  distance,  turned 

66 


ONE  OF  JACKSON'S  FOOT  CAVALRY  6y 

to  the  left,  and  marched  across  an  open  field  towards 
the  hills  that  were  covered  with  woods.  When  we  were 
about  half  way  across  the  field,  we  came  in  sight  of  the 
Yankee  line  of  battle  near  Kernstown,  and  a  battery 
posted  on  a  hill  a  little  in  their  rear.  The  battery 
opened  on  us  at  once.  We  were  ordered  to  double 
quick,  soon  began  to  run,  and  reached  the  hills  without 
an  accident.  F  Company  were  thrown  forward  as 
skirmishers  and  advance,  the  regiment  following  in  line 
of  battle  a  short  distance,  when  the  company  was 
ordered  to  join  them,  and  we  marched  by  the  flank. 
A  gun  or  two  of  the  Rockbridge  battery  now  joined 
us,  we  marched  under  a  hill,  and  they  to  the  right  on 
top  of  the  ridge.  These  guns  were  occasionally  in  their 
march  exposed  to  the  view  of  the  enemy's  battery,  and 
they  fired  at  them,  the  shells  passing  over  our  regiment. 
One  of  them  struck  one  of  the  drivers  of  the  guns,  tear- 
ing his  leg  to  pieces,  and  going  through  the  horse. 
Both  fell ;  the  shell  descended  and  passed  through  our 
ranks  and  struck  a  stump  not  far  off,  spinning  around 
like  a  top,  and  before  it  stopped  one  of  the  company 
ran  and  jumped  on  it,  taking  it  up  and  carrying  it  along 
as  a  trophy.  This  is  the  first  man  of  the  war  I  saw 
struck  by  a  shell;  it  was  witnessed  by  the  majority  of 
the  regiment. 

Gen.  Jackson  now  made  his  appearance,  and  had  a 
talk  with  our  commander,  Lt.-Col.  Patton.  Wre  were 
thrown  forward  into  line  of  battle  again,  and  marched 
a  short  distance  to  the  top  of  a  hill,  and  in  full  sight  of 
the  enemy's  line  of  battle.  They  were  advancing,  too, 
at  this  point.  I  saw  five  flags ;  we  opened  fire  at  once, 
and  they  scattered.  In  a  few  minutes  I  saw  only  two 
flags,  and  soon  after  only  one,  which  marched  in  a  field 


68   ONE  OF  JACKSON'S  FOOT  CAVALRY 

on  our  right  to  a  pile  of  rocks  on  which  it  was  planted ; 
the  regiment  gathered  around  it.  Our  regiment  and 
the  guns  of  the  Rockbridge  battery  have  been  fighting 
this  force.  Our  line  was  lengthened  by  the  arrival  of 
the  third  brigade  on  our  left.  A  part  of  our  regiment 
moved  to  a  fence  on  the  right,  and  facing  the  enemy  in 
the  field,  fired  at  them.  Some  of  F  Company  were 
kneeling  down,  firing  from  behind  the  fence,  some  were 
standing  straight  up ;  soon  all  were  standing,  and  tak- 
ing deadly  aim  as  they  fired.  As  the  excitement  in- 
creased, they  mounted  the  fence,  and  many  sat  on  it, 
loading  and  firing  until  every  cartridge  was  shot  away. 
A  regiment  was  sent  to  the  support  of  the  Yankees,  but 
they  never  got  any  nearer  than  the  party  around  the 
flag,  and  they  soon  became  intermingled  with  them. 
All  our  ammunition  being  gone,  we  gradually  retired, 
passing  through  the  5th  Va.  Regt.  that  had  formed  in 
our  rear.  Our  artillery  had  taken  position  and  were 
firing  on  the  enemy,  but  when  we  retreated  they  were 
compelled  to  do  so.  In  going  through  a  gap  in  a  stone 
wall,  one  of  their  guns  became  entangled  and  disabled 
and  was  left.  One  of  our  company  in  going  to  the  rear 
was  encountered  by  Gen.  Jackson  who  inquired  where 
he  was  going.  He  answered,  that  he  had  shot  all  his 
ammunition  away,  and  did  not  know  where  to  get  more. 
Old  Stonewall  rose  in  his  stirrups,  and  gave  the  com- 
mand, "  Then  go  back  and  give  them  the  bayonet,"  and 
rode  off  to  the  front. 

The  remainder  of  the  little  army  had  been  heavily 
engaged,  and  although  confronted  by  large  odds,  held  its 
own,  and  only  retired  after  shooting  all  its  ammunition 
away.  It  seems  to  me  that  the  21st  Va.  Regt.  would 
have  held  its  line  indefinitely,  if  it  had  been  supplied  with 


ONE  OF  JACKSON'S  FOOT  CAVALRY   69 

ammunition.  It  was  a  regular  stand-up  fight  with  us, 
and  as  stated  the  men  along  the  fence  left  its  protection 
and  fought  as  I  never  saw  any  fighting  during  the  war. 
After  this,  they  were  glad  to  take  advantage  of  any- 
thing. 

We  were  whipped  after  desperate  fighting,  and  I 
think  only  for  want  of  ammunition.  Night  found  our 
little  army  in  retreat  towards  the  valley  pike,  where  the 
stragglers  were  gathered  up,  and  the  men  lay  down  on 
the  ground  for  a  few  hours'  rest.  The  next  morning 
we  took  up  a  slow  and  sullen  march  up  the  valley,  the 
enemy  following.  Arriving  at  Middletown,  I  learned 
that  Tucker  Randolph,  one  of  my  messmates,  was  in 
one  of  the  houses.  He  had  been  sent  to  the  rear  the 
evening  before,  wounded.  I  soon  found  him,  and  see- 
ing the  condition  of  my  dear  old  comrade,  I  made  up  my 
mind  to  stay  and  nurse  him  if  I  could  obtain  my  cap- 
tain's permission.  Dear  old  fellow !  how  he  thanked 
me  when  I  said  it.  I  had  long  ago  made  up  my  mind 
never  to  be  taken  prisoner,  but  could  not  leave  my  mess- 
mate. All  our  wagons  and  ambulances  had  long  passed, 
our  lieutenant  had  promised  to  send  an  ambulance  back, 
the  surgeon  had  also  promised.  I  finally  became  so 
uneasy,  that  I  went  to  all  the  town  folks  to  see  if  I 
could  get  a  vehicle  of  some  kind  to  take  him  away,  but 
could  get  nothing.  All  the  infantry  had  now  gone, 
even  the  stragglers  had  left  the  village.  The  cannon 
of  the  horse  artillery,  our  rear  guard,  were  near,  having 
ceased  its  firing,  and  I  could  hear  the  exchange  of  car- 
bine shots.  I  went  to  the  door,  and  looked  up  the 
street  for  my  long  looked-for  ambulance,  but  nothing 
was  in  sight.  I  looked  down  the  street,  and  saw  the 
horse   artillery   entering   the   village.     I   now   made   up 


;o   ONE  OF  JACKSON'S  FOOT  CAVALRY 

my  mind  to  ask  the  officer  in  command  to  take  my 
friend  on  one  of  the  caissons,  and  went  into  the  street 
to  meet  him,  when,  taking  another  look  up  the  street, 
I  saw  an  ambulance  coming  on  a  run.  We  put  my 
comrade  into  it  in  a  hurry,  pitched  in  his  knapsack, 
etc.,  and  off  we  went.  We  passed  out  of  the  village  in 
time  to  get  away,  but  the  Yanks  gave  us  a  parting  shot 
from  a  cannon  as  we  left,  the  shut  passing  over  without 
damage.  The  horses  to  the  ambulance  received  some 
heavy  whacks  from  the  whip  of  the  driver,  and  we  were 
out  of  all  danger. 

I  went  along  with  my  comrade,  and  before  night 
had  collected  about  half  a  dozen  of  the  wounded  of  my 
company.  I  took  care  of  them  until  we  arrived  at 
Staunton,  and  put  them  on  the  cars  en  route  to  their 
homes.     I  then  returned  to  my  company. 

This  was  the  first  regular  battle  of  the  regiment,  and 
it  was  said  we  displayed  great  gallantry.  F  Company 
had  six  wounded,  Tucker  Randolph,  Ned  Taylor, 
Charles  Taylor,  Henry  Pecor,  Charles  Skinker,  and  Joe 
Nunnally. 

This  attack  of  Gen.  Jackson  on  the  enemy  was  a  very 
daring  one,  and  was  the  means  of  helping  our  army  at 
Manassas,  as  the  troops  the  enemy  were  sending  away 
were  recalled.  The  enemy  were  far  superior  to  us  in 
numbers,  and  although  Jackson  was  whipped,  Congress 
thought  it  did  the  cause  so  much  good  that  it  at  once 
passed  a  resolution  of  thanks  to  Jackson  and  his  army. 


IX 


THE    RETREAT    FROM    KERNSTOWN 

On  the  24th  of  March  our  brigade  moved  to  the 
vicinity  of  Strasburg,  where  we  halted  about  midday 
and  camped.  The  enemy  were  in  hot  pursuit,  we  could 
hear  firing  in  the  rear  all  day,  and  from  some  high 
points  could  see  the  enemy  during  the  march.  We 
had  built  fires  in  our  camp,  drawn  rations,  and  were 
busy  cooking,  when  a  shell  came  screaming  over  our 
heads,  followed  by  another.  In  a  few  minutes  the 
woods  were  full  of  shells  from  the  enemy,  who  had 
driven  our  rear  guard  far  enough  to  command  our 
woods  from  one  of  the  neighboring  hills.  We  loaded 
our  cooking  utensils  and  baggage  on  the  wagons,  and 
they  went  off  in  a  run ;  we  soon  followed  in  a  slow 
march,  and  continued  it  until  we  reached  the  neighbor- 
hood of  Woodstock,  where  we  quietly  went  into  camp 
out  of  hearing  of  the  enemy.  The  next  day  we  went 
into  camp  near  Mt.  Jackson.  On  the  26th,  the  second 
brigade  was  sent  back  to  near  Woodstock  to  meet  the 
enemy,  with  whom  we  skirmished  till  the  28th,  when 
we  marched  to  Mt.  Jackson;  and  on  the  3d  of  April  re- 
turned to  near  Edinburg  to  meet  the  enemy  again. 
We  were  to  cooperate  with  Col.  Ashby  in  any  move- 
ment he  made.  F  Company  was  ordered  forward  as 
skirmishers  through  a  wood,  halting  on  its  edge.  A 
large  open  field  was  in  our  front,  and  Edinburg  in  full 
view,  and  the  Yankee  skirmish  line  on  the  opposite  side 
of  the  creek.     We  engaged  them  at  once.     Col.  Ashby 

71 


72       ONE  OF  JACKSON'S  FOOT  CAVALRY 

came  along,  riding  his  white  horse;  he  had  the  dwarf 
courier  with  him,  and  told  us  not  to  fire  unless  the 
enemy  attempted  to  cross  the  creek,  and  if  they  should 
make  the  attempt,  to  give  it  to  them.  He  rode  out  in 
our  front  to  a  small  hillock  to  see  what  was  going  on, 
the  little  courier  accompanying  him.  The  enemy  im- 
mediately shot  at  them ;  as  they  reached  the  hillock,  the 
courier's  horse  fell  dead.  We  could  hear  Colonel  Ashhy 
tell  him  to  take  off  his  saddle,  bridle  and  accouterments, 
and  carry  them  to  the  rear,  which  he  did  as  quickly  as 
possible.  Colonel  A.  sat  his  horse  as  quietly  as  if  he 
had  been  in  camp,  until  the  courier  reached  the  woods, 
when  he  quietly  turned  his  horse  and  walked  him  off 
towards  us,  passing  through  our  line  going  to  the  rear. 
Soon  afterwards  he  gave  orders  for  our  brigade  to  go 
back  to  camp,  as  he  would  have  nothing  for  us  to  do 
that  day. 

On  the  5th  we  marched  to  Rude's  Hill,  and  went  into 
camp.  The  next  morning  I  was  ordered  to  report,  with 
arms,  to  the  brigade  quartermaster.  On  arriving  at  his 
quarters  I  saw  two  large  wagons,  four  mules  hitched  to 
each,  and  learned  that  a  detail  of  six  men  had  been  made 
to  accompany  the  wagons  on  a  trip  to  get  corn.  As  soon 
as  all  the  men  reported,  a  quartermaster  sergeant  who 
went  with  us,  ordered  us  to  get  into  the  wagons,  three 
in  each.  The  wagons  started  at  once,  went  to  the  val- 
ley pike  and  turned  down  the  pike.  Reaching  Rude's 
Hill  we  passed  some  artillerymen  who  had  a  cannon 
trained  on  the  bridge  over  the  Shenandoah.  At  the  foot 
of  the  hill  we  passed  the  cavalry  outpost  of  about  thirty 
or  forty  men,  who  were  dismounted  and  waiting  events, 
their  horses  strung  along  and  fastened  to  the  fence  each 
side  of  the  road.     When  they  learned  our  destination, 


ONE  OF  JACKSON'S  FOOT  CAVALRY  73 

all  of  them  bade  us  good-by,  saying  they  would  never  see 
us  again,  as  the  Yankees  would  certainly  capture  us. 
Going  about  a  half  a  mile  farther  we  passed  the  cavalry 
vidette  on  the  outpost.  He  said  good-by  too,  and 
pointed  out  to  us  the  Yankee  vidette  in  his  front,  a  little 
above  the  bridge  and  on  the  other  side  of  the  river.  We 
went  about  a  fourth  of  a  mile  farther,  pulled  down  two 
panels  of  fence  on  the  left  of  the  road,  entered  a  large 
corn  field,  and  loaded  those  wagons  more  quickly  than 
any  were  ever  loaded  before.  When  we  had  them  about 
half  full  a  Yankee  cavalryman  rode  to  his  vidette  in 
plain  view  of  us,  had  a  short  talk,  then  rode  off  at  full 
speed.  That  made  us  pull  corn  faster.  The  wagons 
were  driven  back  to  the  road  and  headed  for  camp.  A 
countryman  who  was  with  us  said  that  was  "  the  slickest 
job  he  ever  saw."  When  we  reached  our  vidette,  he 
gave  us  a  hearty  welcome,  and  the  outpost  cavalry  gave 
us  a  big  cheer. 

On  the  7th  we  marched  below  Mt.  Jackson  and 
camped  in  our  old  place.  On  the  10th  all  of  Jackson's 
force  marched  up  the  valley,  and  stopped  near  New 
Market.  On  the  13th  our  brigade  marched  to  the  gap 
of  Massanuttin  Mountain  that  leads  into  Luray  Valley, 
it  having  been  rumored  that  the  enemy  were  making  a 
demonstration  from  that  direction.  On  the  17th  all 
the  force  marched  up  the  valley  to  Big  Spring,  staying 
there  all  night,  and  the  next  morning  marched  up  the 
valley,  leaving  the  valley  pike  near  Harrisonburg  towards 
Swift  Run  Gap,  and  crossed  the  Shenandoah  river,  go- 
ing into  camp  next  day.  We  were  safe  from  pursuit 
now,  with  our  backs  to  the  Blue  Ridge,  and  at  this  point 
our  little  force  could  keep  off  easily  thrice  as  many  as 
have  been  in  pursuit  of  us. 


74   ONE  OF  JACKSON'S  FOOT  CAVALRY 

This  was  the  boldest  retreat  I  ever  saw.  Gen.  Jack- 
son was  defeated  at  Kernstown  on  the  25th  of  March, 
by  an  overwhelming  force,  and  the  next  day  retired  up 
the  valley  more  slowly  than  I  ever  saw  him  march ;  and 
when  we  went  into  camp  at  night  we  tarried  as  long  as 
possible.  If  the  enemy  did  not  hunt  for  us,  Gen.  Jack- 
son would  hunt  for  them.  The  regiments  had  orders  to 
drill  just  as  if  no  enemy  was  within  a  hundred  miles  of  us. 
It  can  be  seen  that  our  movements  were  slow  since  it 
took  us  from  March  24th  to  April  18th  to  march  about 
one  hundred  miles,  although  we  marched  about  half  that 
distance  in  two  days  when  we  advanced  to  Kernstown. 

We  rested  at  this  camp  and  made  ourselves  as  com- 
fortable as  we  could  in  shelter  of  brush,  oilcloths,  etc. 
The  day  we  reached  here  Gen.  Jackson  ordered  all  the 
wagons  containing  tents  and  extra  baggage  to  the  rear, 
and  so  far  that  we  never  saw  them  again!  This  was  a 
hard  blow  to  us,  since  we  had  gotten  in  the  habit  of 
smuggling  many  articles  into  our  tents  to  avoid  carrying 
them,  and  when  our  tents  left,  they  had  dress  coats,  un- 
derclothing, etc.,  in  them.  "  Old  Jack  "  flanked  us  that 
time. 

We  had  a  snow  storm  while  we  were  in  this  camp,  but 
as  it  did  not  turn  cold,  we  got  along  very  well.  We  first 
felt  in  this  place  the  strict  hand  of  Jackson.  Our  regi- 
ment and  several  others  during  the  snow  storm  burned 
some  of  the  rail  fencing.  Gen.  Jackson  seeing  it,  gave 
orders  for  each  regiment  to  maul  rails  and  put  the  fence 
up  again,  and  if  we  repeated  the  burning,  he  would 
punish  every  man. 

While  we  were  in  this  camp  the  reorganization  of  the 
army  took  place.  This  was  a  great  misfortune  to  us,  as 
many  good  officers  were  thrown  out,  and  men  who  were 


ONE  OF  JACKSON'S  FOOT  CAVALRY   7S 

popular  were  elected  in  their  stead ;  in  many  instances 
men  utterly  unfit  to  fill  the  places  to  which  they  were 
elected. 

F  Company  elected  William  H.  Morgan,  Captain ;  he 
was  adjutant  of  the  regiment.  W.  Granville  Gray,  First 
Lieutenant ;  G.  W.  Peterkin,  Second  Lieutenant,  and  E. 
G.  Rawlings,  Jr.,  Second  Lieutenant.  The  regiment 
elected  John  M.  Patton,  Colonel ;  Richard  H.  Cunning- 
ham, Jr.,  Lieutenant  Colonel,  and  John  B.  Moseley, 
Major. 

In  one  of  the  regiments  of  our  army  two  men  carried 
each  a  game  cock.  On  a  march  they  perched  on  the 
shoulders  of  their  owners,  and  seemed  as  well  contented 
as  if  on  their  roost,  and  their  crowing  and  the  flapping 
of  their  wings  always  called  forth  a  lusty  cheer  from  the 
men.  They,  like  everything  else  in  the  Confederate 
army,  had  their  use.  On  a  march  passing  a  farmyard, 
one  of  those  men  would  run  out  of  ranks  when  he  saw  a 
lot  of  fowls,  and  his  game  cock  would  fly  to  the  rooster 
at  their  head,  and  a  battle  would  take  place  at  once.  The 
owner  of  the  game  cock  would  pick  up  both  roosters, 
and  quickly  join  his  command.  That  night  he  would 
have  stewed  rooster  for  supper. 

I  must  not  forget  to  tell  about  our  umbrella  man.  In 
one  of  the  companies  of  our  regiment  there  was  a  ser- 
geant, who  was  an  old  country  gentleman.  When  he 
left  home  he  carried  an  umbrella.  This  he  kept  until  he 
left  us  at  this  camp.  During  a  march  on  a  hot  day 
one  would  see  the  old  sergeant  marching  along  at  the  head 
oi  his  company  with  his  umbrella  hoisted ;  the  boys  would 
call  to  him,  "  Come  out  of  that  umbrella."  He  took  it 
kindly,  and  would  generally  reply  that  he  knew  they 
wanted  it.     During  a  rain  when  he  hoisted  it,  he  always 


76   ONE  OF  JACKSON'S  FOOT  CAVALRY 

had  numerous  applications  for  a  part  of  it.  When  it 
was  not  in  use  he  carried  it  strapped  to  his  knapsack. 

We  stayed  in  this  camp  until  the  23d,  when  we  moved 
into  the  cove,  a  large  opening  within  the  outer  mountain, 
and  camped.  We  marched  from  this  camp  on  the  30th, 
towards  Flarrisonburg,  across  the  Shenandoah  a  mile  or 
two,  returned  and  took  a  road  on  the  right,  and  marched 
up  the  river  to  Port  Republic,  reaching  it  on  May  2d, 
after  one  of  the  most  severe  marches  we  had  undergone. 
The  road  on  which  we  marched  was  an  ordinary  country 
road,  and  it  had  been  raining  and  snowing  so  much  that 
it  had  become  very  soft,  and  when  the  artillery  and 
wagons  came  along  they  sank  up  to  their  axles,  and  there 
was  no  way  to  get  them  out,  unless  the  men  put  their 
shoulders  to  the  wheels.  This  Gen.  Jackson  had  fore- 
seen, as  details  of  men  were  sent  along  with  the  wagons. 
As  an  evidence  of  Gen.  Jackson's  anxiety  and  solicitude, 
I  saw  him  personally  getting  rocks,  and  putting  them  in 
the  holes  of  this  road. 

We  were  now  retreating  and  advancing  at  the  same 
time,  a  condition  an  army  never  undertook  before.  We 
were  retreating  from  Banks.  In  my  next  I  will  show 
how  we  were  advancing.  The  Great  Valley  Campaign 
is  opening. 


1862 

He  carried  a  knapsack,  containing  woolen  shirt,  undershirt,  drawers, 
socks,  soap,  towel,  toothbrush,  and  needle-case;  oilcloth,  blanket,  extra 
shoes;   haversack,  tin  cup,  canteen  and  a  tin  can  for  cooking. 


Opposite  page  76. 


X 

MC  DO  WELL 

On  May  3d  we  left  Port  Republic.  This  is  the  com- 
mencement of  that  great  Valley  campaign,  the  most 
brilliant  of  modern  times,  and  I  do  not  know  that  it  was 
ever  surpassed.  We  marched  across  the  Blue  Ridge  to 
the  Central  Railroad  near  Meechum's  Depot,  and  there 
we  took  the  cars  and  went  to  Staunton,  arriving  on  the 
4th.  On  the  5th  we  were  joined  by  the  10th  Va.  Reg. 
Inf.,  which  was  assigned  to  the  third  brigade,  and  by  the 
cadets  from  the  Va.  Military  Institute.  On  the  6th  we 
left  Staunton,  marching  towards  Buffalo  Gap,  and  about 
midday  joined  Gen.  Edward  Johnson's  force,  that  had 
fallen  back  about  six  miles  from  Staunton.  He  had 
been  in  great  danger  before  we  arrived ;  a  force  in  his 
front  pressing  him,  and  that  of  Banks  threatening  to 
march  to  his  rear.  With  Jackson's  coming  all  was 
changed.  Near  Buffalo  Gap  we  went  into  camp  for  the 
night.  The  next  morning  the  advance  was  continued, 
with  Johnson's  force  in  front.  We  encountered  some 
of  the  enemy  near  Ryan's,  and  captured  some  stores, 
tents,  etc.,  and  a  sutler's  outfit.  There  was  lying  just 
outside  of  the  sutler's  store  door  about  a  bucketful  of 
"  sutler's  "  coin,  used  by  him  in  his  traffic  with  the  sol- 
diers, having  his  name,  regiment,  etc.,  and  the  value  of 
the  coin  on  it.  The  head  of  the  column  skirmished  some 
with  the  enemy.  We  crossed  the  Shenandoah  Mountain, 
and  passed  through  the  fortifications  used  by  Gen.  John- 
son while  he  was  there.     In  descending  this  mountain, 

77 


78   ONE  OF  JACKSON'S  FOOT  CAVALRY 

we  could  see  a  long  line  of  the  enemy  in  position  on  the 
opposite  mountain.  They,  however,  withdrew  without 
firing,  and  we  halted  for  the  night.  On  the  8th  we 
marched  in  about  the  same  order — Gen.  Jackson's  com- 
mand in  front,  the  second  brigade  next,  then  the  third 
brigade,  the  Stonewall  brigade  in  the  rear,  the  cadets 
marching,  I  think,  in  front  of  the  Stonewall  brigade. 
The  second  brigade  was  ascending  the  Bull  Pasture 
Mountain  in  the  afternoon,  marching  a  few  yards  and 
halting,  then  a  few  yards  and  another  halt,  a  march  that 
fatigued  men  more  than  one  in  which  they  take  an  even 
step  and  march  for  a  length  of  time.  We  had  been 
marching  in  this  way  for  such  a  long  time,  that  evening 
was  approaching,  and  it  was  rumored  that  we  could  not 
cross  the  mountain  that  night;  that  we  would  return  to 
the  valley,  or  bottom,  and  camp  for  the  night,  that  the 
remainder  of  Jackson's  division  would  join  us  there. 
The  men  had  begun  to  think  that  there  was  some  truth 
in  the  report.  Soon  the  idea  was  discarded,  and  the  21st 
Va.  Regt.  was  hurried  up,  and  on  reaching  the  top  of 
the  mountain  we  could  hear  firing,  and,  going  a  little 
farther,  we  could  hear  that  it  was  heavy.  We  were 
hurried  along  the  road  until  we  reached  the  31st  Va. 
Regt.  of  Johnson's  command,  who  were  ordered  to  join 
Gen.  Johnson,  who  was  heavily  engaged  on  our  left, 
and  we  were  formed  in  line  of  battle  across  the  pike. 
Gen.  Jackson  now  arrived  and  gave  orders  in  person  to 
Lt.  Col.  Cunningham,  who  was  in  command  of  the  regi- 
ment. He  told  him  to  protect  his  men  as  much  as  pos- 
sible and  to  hold  the  position  at  all  hazards,  and  ended 
by  saying,  in  that  sharp  way  of  his,  "  Tell  your  men  they 
must  hold  the  road."  This  was  the  only  road  by  which 
Jackson  could  get  his  forces  out  if  he  should  meet  with 


ONE  OF  JACKSON'S  FOOT  CAVALRY   79 

disaster,  and  the  road  be  taken,  the  enemy  would  be  di- 
rectly in  his  rear.  This  was  therefore  the  key  to  Jack- 
son's position,  and  if  it  were  lost,  all  was  lost.  The  men 
of  the  regiment  now  took  their  position  behind  trees  and 
big  rocks,  the  bottom  in  which  we  are  being  filled  with 
them.  As  the  men  took  their  places  it  was  with  the 
determination  that  no  enemy  should  drive  them  away. 
We  were  not  called  on  for  a  test  of  our  courage,  a  few 
skirmishers  only  appearing  in  our  front,  the  enemy  at- 
tacking us  from  our  left,  and  next  to  the  village  of  Mc- 
Dowell. It  is  said  that  Gen.  Jackson  had  no  idea  of 
fighting  this  battle  on  the  8th ;  he  and  Gen.  Johnson  had 
ridden  to  the  front  and  examined  the  situation  of  the 
enemy,  and  they  decided  to  wait  until  morning  to  make 
an  attack ;  as  Jackson  had  obtained  information  that  the 
enemy  could  be  attacked  in  their  rear,  and  he  intended 
to  send  a  force  to  that  point  as  soon  as  it  became  dark. 
Some  of  his  staff  had  actually  gone  to  our  rear,  to  direct 
those  troops  where  to  camp. 

Milroy,  who  was  in  command  of  the  enemy,  received 
some  reinforcements  about  noon,  and  thought  best  to 
make  an  attack  at  once  on  Gen.  Johnson,  not  knowing 
of  Jackson's  presence.  This  was  the  cause  of  the  bat- 
tle. 

The  enemy  made  a  gallant  and  spirited  attack,  but 
were  promptly  met,  and,  after  some  hard  fighting,  were 
driven  back  with  loss.  We  lost  a  number  of  men  and 
some  valuable  officers.  Gen.  Johnson  was  shot  through 
the  foot  in  the  thickest  of  the  fight.  We  had  no  artillery 
on  our  side,  as  we  could  get  no  position  on  the  mountain 
side,  and  not  more  than  two-thirds  of  Jackson's  force 
was  up  in  time  to  take  part  in  the  battle.  The  enemy 
used  artillery  from  the  other  side  of  McDowell.     When 


8o   ONE  OF  JACKSON'S  FOOT  CAVALRY 

we  passed  through  the  town  the  next  day,  we  could  see 
the  holes  they  made  in  the  ground,  in  order  to  so  elevate 
their  guns  as  to  shoot  at  us  on  the  mountain  side. 

During  the  night  the  enemy  retreated,  burning  some 
of  their  stores;  some,  however,  falling  into  our  hands. 
They  threw  a  large  quantity  of  ammunition  into  the 
creek  from  a  bridge  on  the  road. 

We  followed  in  hot  pursuit  as  far  as  Franklin,  Pendle- 
ton Co.,  overtaking  them  on  the  afternoon  of  the  nth. 
There  the  enemy  took  position  in  a  narrow  valley  that 
ran  between  the  mountain  hills;  these  hills  were  covered 
with  woods,  and  they  had  fired  the  woods  on  both  sides 
of  the  valley  in  their  front,  and  as  soon  as  we  came  in 
sight,  their  artillery  commenced  firing  at  us.  We  could 
not  locate  the  guns  because  of  the  smoke.  Gen.  Jack- 
son sent  a  small  force  to  the  enemy's  rear  to  obstruct  the 
road  at  the  mountain  gaps ;  the  small  force  was  driven 
off  before  it  accomplished  the  work.  We  remained  in 
front  of  the  enemy,  trying  to  find  their  position  by 
skirmishers,  but  the  fire  and  smoke  from  the  burning 
woods  prevented. 

Gen.  Jackson, 'having  other  and  more  important  plans, 
abandoned  the  place  about  10  o'clock  on  the  morning  of 
the  13th,  and  retraced  his  march,  going  back  through 
McDowell,  marching  about  eleven  miles,  taking  a  road 
on  the  left  leading  to  Harrisonburg.  We  stopped  on  the 
15th,  at  Lebanon  Springs,  and  remained  there  on  the 
1 6th  to  observe  the  national  day  of  humiliation  and 
prayer,  ordered  by  the  President  of  the  Confederacy. 
On  the  17th  we  resumed  our  march  and  stopped  near 
Mossy  Creek  on  Sunday,  the  18th,  where  most  of  the 
command  had  religious  worship.  At  early  dawn  on  the 
19th  we  resumed  the  march,  and  reaching  Bridgewater 


ONE  OF  JACKSON'S  FOOT  CAVALRY   81 

crossed  the  Shenandoah  river  on  a  bridge  made  of 
wagons,  that  were  placed  in  a  row  across  the  river,  and 
planks  laid  from  one  wagon  to  the  other,  thus  making  a 
very  good  footbridge.  On  the  20th  we  passed  through 
Harrisonburg,  and  were  joined  by  Brig.  Gen.  Taylor's  bri- 
gade of  Louisianians,  of  Ewell's  division.  This  brigade 
made  an  unusually  good  appearance,  as  the  men  were 
more  regularly  uniformed  than  any  we  had  seen. 

When  Gen.  Jackson  moved  from  Swift  Run  Gap, 
Gen.  Ewell  with  his  division  and  two  regiments  of  cav- 
alry occupied  a  position  in  Culpepper  Co.,  on  the  Rappa- 
hannock river.  He  moved  his  command  to  Swift  Run 
Gap,  and  occupied  the  position  just  vacated  by  Jackson. 
This  was  to  prevent  Banks  from  making  an  attack  on 
Jackson's  rear,  while  he  was  advancing  on  Milroy. 
After  Jackson  had  disposed  of  Milroy,  he  turned  to  the 
Valley,  and  the  junction  with  Taylor  shows  that  he  had 
reached  that  great  country ;  and  we  went  into  camp  on  the 
Valley  pike. 


XI 


THE    VALLEY    CAMPAIGN FRONT    ROYAL,    MIDDLETOWN, 

WINCHESTER,     CROSS    KEYS,     PORT    REPUBLIC 

On  May  21st  Jackson  marched  down  the  Valley  pike. 
When  we  reached  New  Market  we  took  the  road  lead- 
ing to  the  Luray  valley,  and  formed  a  junction  on  the 
22d,  near  Luray,  with  the  balance  of  Gen.  Ewell's  com- 
mand, which  had  marched  clown  the  Luray  valley  from 
Swift  Run  Gap.  Jackson  now  had  the  largest  army  he 
had  ever  had.  He  had  brought  Gen.  Edward  Johnson's 
force  of  six  regiments  and  some  artillery  with  him  from 
the  Shenandoah  mountain,  and  had  Ewell's  command, 
and  his  old  command. 

On  the  23d  Jackson's  army  left  its  bivouac  near  Lu- 
ray, taking  the  road  to  Front  Royal,  the  head  of  the  col- 
umn arriving  about  three  or  four  o'clock  in  the  afternoon. 
Gen.  Jackson,  as  usual,  made  an  immediate  attack  on 
the  enemy,  with  the  few  men  who  were  up.  His  eager- 
ness all  through  this  campaign  was  surprising,  and  his 
escape  from  death  was  almost  a  miracle.  The  enemy 
were  found  drawn  up  in  line  of  battle  in  a  strong  posi- 
tion on  the  opposite  side  of  the  Shenandoah  river.  He 
had  a  line  of  skirmishers  formed  under  his  eye,  and  gave 
them  the  command  to  forward,  and  pushed  them  and 
some  advance  cavalry  from  the  start.  The  Yanks  find- 
ing things  getting  so  hot,  set  fire  to  the  two  bridges,  and 
were  immediately  charged  by  our  cavalry  and  skirmish- 
ers, who  saved  the  bridges  in  a  damaged  condition, 
crossed  and  were  right  in  the  midst  of  the  enemy,  Jack- 

82 


ONE  OF  JACKSON'S  FOOT  CAVALRY   83 

son  along  with  them.  The  enemy  made  a  bold  stand  and 
fought  well,  but  they  could  not  withstand  Jackson's  mode 
of  warfare,  and  retreated  to  a  farm  orchard  and  buildings. 
Here  they  made  a  gallant  stand;  but  our  two  regiments 
of  cavalry  from  Ewell's  command  came  up,  were  formed 
under  Jackson's  eye,  and  charged  the  protected  enemy. 
The  cavalry  swept  everything  before  them,  and  soon  the 
entire  force  was  killed  and  captured.  In  the  charge  at 
the  bridge,  the  gallant  Captain  Sheets,  Ashby's  right  hand, 
was  killed.  A  large  amount  of  stores  and  several  hun- 
dred beef-cattle  were  captured.  The  second  brigade  did 
not  come  up  until  night,  having  marched  twenty-seven 
miles. 

On  the  next  morning,  as  our  brigade  passed  the  prison- 
ers that  had  been  captured  the  evening  before,  one  of 
them  hallooed  to  us,  "  How  are  you,  Tom?"  Tom  re- 
plied, "  What  are  you  doing  in  such  bad  company,  Bob?  " 
Tom,  however,  left  ranks,  and  went  inside  the  prison  lines 
and  had  a  hearty  shake  of  the  hand  and  a  few  minutes' 
conversation.  Coming  back  he  said  it  was  his  brother; 
literally  is  brother  against  brother.  We  kept  up  our 
march  in  the  direction  of  Winchester  until  we  reached 
Cedarville.  Jackson's  division  wTith  Taylor's  brigade 
taking  the  road  on  the  left,  and  the  remainder  of  the 
army  under  Ewell's  command  keeping  the  direct  road  to 
Winchester. 

Company  B  of  Maryland,  of  our  regiment,  who  were 
mustered  into  service  for  one  year,  having  served  out 
their  term  of  enlistment,  left  us  at  this  point;  and  the 
2 1st  Va.  Regt.  had  only  nine  companies  after  that  date. 

The  force  of  Jackson's  command  that  left  the  road 
at  Cedarville  marched  to  Middletown  on  the  valley  pike. 
When  we  came  in  sight  of  the  pike,  it  was  filled  as  far 


84   ONE  OF  JACKSON'S  FOOT  CAVALRY 

as  we  could  see  from  one  end  to  the  other,  with  Yankees 
on  their  way  to  Winchester,  and  we  had  surprised  them 
on  the  march.  We  attacked  at  once,  and  cut  their  march- 
ing column  in  two;  one  part  keeping  on  towards  Win- 
chester, the  other  turning  back  towards  Strasburg.  This 
part  of  their  command  the  second  brigade,  was  ordered 
to  pursue,  and  we  followed  them  until  they  had  crossed 
the  bridge  over  Cedar  Creek.  Then  we  were  recalled  and 
joined  in  the  general  pursuit.  In  marching  through  Mid- 
dletown,  we  found  long  lines  of  knapsacks  behind  the 
stone  walls  on  the  pike,  as  if  whole  regiments  and  bri- 
gades had  unslung  them  in  order  to  make  a  stand,  and 
as  soon  as  we  attacked  them,  left  in  such  a  hurry  as  to 
leave  them. 

Near  Newtown  we  came  to  a  long  wagon  train  of  the 
enemy's,  standing  on  the  side  of  the  road.  Some  of  the 
wagons  had  been  fired  by  them.  As  we  passed,  one  thing 
struck  the  writer  about  the  contents  of  those  wagons  as 
singular.  In  every  one  that  had  articles  in  sight,  I  could 
see  portions  of  women's  clothing;  in  one  wagon  a  bon- 
net, in  another  a  shawl,  a  dress  in  the  next,  and  in  some 
all  of  a  woman's  outfit.  I  never  saw  the  Yankee  soldiers 
wearing  this  kind  of  uniform,  and  why  they  carried  it 
was  beyond  my  knowledge.  Some  of  our  men  suggested 
that  it  had  been  confiscated  from  citizens  of  the  valley. 
Marching  a  little  farther  we  halted,  the  enemy  having 
some  artillery  on  the  opposite  hill  shelling  our  road.  Our 
advance  ran  out  some  guns,  and  these,  with  our  advanced 
skirmishers,  soon  had  them  retreating  again.  It  was  now 
dark,  and  we  soon  came  to  another  long  train  of  cap- 
tured wagons  and  a  pontoon-bridge  train ;  the  men  looked 
at  these  with  much  interest,  as  they  were  the  first  we  had 
seen.     Marching  a  little  farther  we  saw  a  string  of  fire 


ONE  OF  JACKSON'S  FOOT  CAVALRY   85 

along  a  stone  wall,  and  the  crack  of  muskets  tells  it  was 
from  the  Yankee  rear  guard.  They  stopped  at  nearly 
every  cross  wall  and  gave  us  a  volley.  Gen.  Jackson, 
who  was  always  in  front  in  an  advance,  came  near  being 
shot  from  one  of  these  walls. 

We  captured  over  one  hundred  wagons  during  the 
night,  keeping  up  the  pursuit  without  intermission  until 
about  dawn,  when  we  halted  and  were  allowed  to  rest 
an  hour  or  two  in  our  places  along  the  road.  Soon  after 
daybreak  on  the  25th,  we  were  on  the  move  again,  and 
when  we  reached  the  mill  about  two  miles  from  Winches- 
ter, we  saw  that  the  enemy  had  made  a  stand  on  the  hill 
behind  it.  We  were  met  by  one  of  our  men,  wounded, 
who  was  hatless,  and  had  been  shot  in  the  head,  the  blood 
streaming  down  his  face  so  freely  that  the  poor  fellow 
could  hardly  see.  The  second  brigade  took  the  left  road 
here,  and  marching  a  short  distance,  filed  to  the  right, 
and  formed  line  of  battle  under  the  foothills  on  the  left 
of  the  Stonewall  brigade,  the  21st  Va.  Regt.  supporting 
the  Rockbridge  battery. 

We  could  see  Ewell's  command  on  the  Front  Royal 
road  far  away  to  our  right,  engaged,  we  locating  his 
line  by  the  smoke  from  his  artillery  and  musketry ;  and 
could  plainly  see  the  Yankee  shells  bursting  over  his  lines, 
and  see  his  shells  bursting  over  the  Yankees' ! 

The  enemy  in  our  front  were  behind  a  stone  wall  that 
ran  entirely  across  the  open  field,  and  a  little  way  behind 
them  were  two  batteries  of  artillery.  A  piece  of  the 
Rockbridge  battery  was  run  out  on  a  knoll  on  our  left, 
where  they  were  met  by  grape  and  minie  balls.  Every 
man  at  the  piece  was  killed  or  wounded.  Nothing 
daunted,  the  battery  ran  forward  another  piece,  but  were 
more  careful  not  to  expose  it,  as  in  the  case  of  the  other 


86   ONE  OF  JACKSON'S  FOOT  CAVALRY 

gun.  The  men  were  soon  picked  off  by  the  infantry  be- 
hind the  wall,  and  they  were  forced  to  abandon  both 
pieces.  The  pieces  were  safe,  however,  as  they  were  in 
our  line,  and  if  the  enemy  wanted  them  they  must  fight 
for  them.  About  this  time  Gen.  Jackson  made  his  ap- 
pearance, and  rode  to  one  of  the  hillocks  in  our  front. 
Col.  Campbell,  commanding  our  brigade,  accompanied 
him  on  horseback;  Col.  Patton  of  the  21st  Va.  Regt.  and 
Col.  Grigsby  of  the  Stonewall  brigade  on  foot.  They 
were  met  by  a  hail  of  grape  and  musket  balls.  Camp- 
bell was  wounded,  Grigsby  had  a  hole  shot  through  his 
sleeve,  and  said  some  ugly  words  to  the  Yankees  for  do- 
ing it.  Gen.  Jackson  sat  there,  the  enemy  continuing 
to  fire  grape  and  musketry  at  him.  It  is  right  here  that 
he  issued  his  celebrated  order  to  the  commander  of  the 
Stonewall  brigade:  "I  expect  the  enemy  to  occupy  the 
hill  in  your  front  with  artillery;  keep  your  brigade  well 
in  hand  and  a  vigilant  watch,  and  if  such  an  attempt  is 
made, —  it  must  not  be  done,  sir !  clamp  them  on  the 
spot."  After  satisfying  himself  as  to  the  location  of 
the  enemy,  he  quietly  turned  his  horse  and  rode  back  in 
a  walk.  Arriving  at  the  road  in  our  rear  he  called  for 
Taylor's  brigade,  led  them  in  person  to  their  position, 
and  gave  Gen.  Taylor  his  orders.  Taylor  says  he  replied, 
and  added,  "  You  had  better  go  to  the  rear ;  if  you  go 
along  the  front  in  this  way,  some  damned  Yankee  will 
shoot  you !  "  He  says  that  Gen.  Jackson  rode  back  to 
him  at  once,  and  said,  "  General,,  I  am  afraid  you  are  a 
wicked  fellow,  but  I  know  you  will  do  your  duty."  Tay- 
lor formed  his  brigade  in  the  road  about  two  or  three 
hundred  yards  to  our  left.  We  were  on  his  flank,  and 
could  see  nearly  the  whole  of  his  advance.  His  march 
was  in  an  open  field,  then  up  the  steep  foothill  or  high 


ONE  OF  JACKSON'S  FOOT  CAVALRY   87 

bank,  then  on  a  gentle  rise  to  the  top.  Near  the  top 
stood  the  same  stone  wall  that  was  in  our  front;  the  en- 
emy's line  of  battle  extending  beyond  Taylor's  left.  As 
soon  as  Gen.  Jackson  saw  that  Taylor  had  commenced 
the  advance,  he  rode  back  to  the  hillock  in  our  front  to 
watch  the  effect  of  Taylor's  attack.  The  enemy  poured 
grape  and  musketry  into  Taylor's  line  as  soon  as  it  came 
in  sight.  Gen.  Taylor  rode  in  front  of  his  brigade, 
drawn  sword  in  hand,  occasionally  turning  his  horse, 
at  other  times  merely  turning  in  his  saddle  to  see  that  his 
line  was  up.  They  marched  up  the  hill  in  perfect  order, 
not  firing  a  shot!  About  half  way  to  the  Yankees  he 
gave  in  a  loud  and  commanding  voice,  that  I  am  sure 
the  Yankees  heard,  the  order  to  charge !  and  to  and  over 
the  stone  wall  they  went!  At  the  same  time  Gen.  Jack- 
son gave  the  command  in  that  sharp  and  crisp  way  of 
his,  "After  the  enemy,  men!"  Our  whole  line  moved 
forward  on  a  run,  the  enemy  broke  and  ran  in  all  direc- 
tions. The  Rockbridge  artillerymen  rushed  to  their  two 
abandoned  pieces,  and  gave  them  a  parting  salute.  This 
charge  of  Taylor's  was  the  grandest  I  saw  during  the 
war.  There  was  all  the  pomp  and  circumstance  of  war 
about  it,  that  was  always  lacking  in  our  charges ;  but  not 
more  effective  than  ours  which  were  inspired  by  the 
old  rebel  yell,  in  which  most  of  the  men  raced  to  be  fore- 
most. 

Near  Winchester  the  advance  artillery,  which  had  been 
firing  from  every  elevation  over  the  heads  of  our  infan- 
try at  the  fleeing  enemy,  halted.  A  scene  was  witnessed 
that  had  no  parallel  in  history  that  I  know  of.  The  men 
of  several  batteries  unhitched  the  lead  horses  from  can- 
nons and  caissons,  threw  the  traces  over  the  horses' 
backs,  mounted  and  charged  the  enemy  through  the  town, 


88   ONE  OF  JACKSON'S  FOOT  CAVALRY 

capturing  and  bringing  back  many  prisoners !  As  we 
passed  through  Winchester  the  citizens  were  so  glad 
to  see  us  that  men,  women,  and  children  ran  into  the 
streets  to  welcome  us,  wringing  our  hands  with  both  of 
theirs,  some  even  embracing  the  men,  all  crying  for  joy! 
The  bullets  from  the  enemy  were  flying  through  the 
streets,  but  this  made  no  difference  to  these  people.  It 
seemed  that  joy  had  overcome  fear.  Such  a  scene  I 
never  witnessed. 

The  second  brigade  followed  the  enemy  about  five 
miles  below  Winchester,  where  they  were  ordered  to 
halt,  and  go  into  camp,  other  troops  following  the  flee- 
ing enemy.  Some  of  our  men  followed  the  enemy  into 
Maryland,  and  were  only  stopped  by  Jackson,  when  he 
received  notice  of  the  effort  of  other  forces  of  the  enemy 
to  get  into  his  rear. 

The  enemy,  on  this  occasion,  was  commanded  by  Gen. 
Banks,  from  whom  Gen.  Jackson  captured  vast  stores : 
several  hundred  beef  cattle,  several  hundred  wagons  with 
their  teams,  eleven  thousand  new  muskets  in  boxes  that 
had  never  been  opened,  a  large  amount  of  ammunition, 
and  over  three  thousand  prisoners.  Jackson  lost  a  very 
small  number  of  men,  but  he  had  led  us  for  three  weeks 
as  hard  as  men  could  march.  In  an  order  issued  to  his 
troops  the  next  day,  he  thanked  us  for  our  conduct,  and 
referred  us  to  the  result  of  the  campaign  as  justification 
for  our  marching  so  hard.  Every  man  was  satisfied  with 
his  apology ;  to  accomplish  so  much  with  so  little  loss,  we 
would  march  six  months !  The  reception  at  Winchester 
was  worth  a  whole  lifetime  of  service. 

On  the  28th  the  21st  Va.  Regt.  was  ordered  to  Win- 
chester to  take  charge  of  the  prisoners;  a  job  little  rel- 
ished by  the  men,  since  we  had  only  about  two  hundred 


ONE  OF  JACKSON'S  FOOT  CAVALRY   89 

and  fifty  men  to  guard  about  three  thousand  prisoners! 

The  enemy  had  a  large  force  in  the  valley  of  the  South 
Fork  of  the  Potomac  under  Fremont,  and  another  on 
the  Rappahanock  river  under  McDowell.  As  soon  as  it 
was  known  that  Jackson  had  routed  Banks,  the  authori- 
ties in  Washington  gave  these  two  commanders  orders 
to  march  at  once  to  Strasburg  in  the  valley,  which  was 
twenty  to  thirty  miles  in  Jackson's  rear.  There  they 
were  to  form  a  junction,  the  united  force  of  between 
thirty  and  thirty-five  thousand  to  fall  on  Jackson,  whip 
him,  and  capture  his  army.  McDowell  ordered  Shields 
with  his  division  to  the  valley.  He  moved  promptly 
and  rapidly,  and  actually  burst  into  the  Luray  valley  at 
Front  Royal,  before  Jackson  was  advised  of  his  move- 
ment !  Learning  that  Fremont  was  moving  on  a  road 
that  led  to  Strasburg,  Jackson  divined  their  purpose, 
recalled  his  advance,  and  ordered  the  other  troops  to  con- 
centrate at  Strasburg.  The  Stonewall  brigade  was  the 
advance  of  Jackson's  army  at  that  time ;  they  were  in 
the  neighborhood  of  Harper's  Ferry,  the  Second  Va. 
Reg.  had  crossed  the  Shenandoah,  and  gone  to  Loudoun 
Heights.  They  received  the  order  on  the  31st  to  march 
above  Winchester  before  they  stopped.  The  brigade 
marched  over  thirty-five  miles,  and  the  Second  Regiment 
over  forty  to  accomplish  it. 

On  the  31st  Jackson  sent  all  his  captured  stores  and 
his  wagon  train  up  the  Valley  pike,  and  our  regiment 
with  the  prisoners  followed  in  the  afternoon.  We 
marched  to  Cedar  Creek,  and  stopped  for  the  night ;  our 
guard  line  was  around  a  large  barn,  in  order  to  allow  the 
prisoners  to  have  the  benefit  of  its  shelter,  as  it  was  rain- 
ing. Some  amusing  scenes  were  witnessed  the  next 
morning.     The  barn  had  a  large  quantity  of  hay  in  it; 


90   ONE  OF  JACKSON'S  FOOT  CAVALRY 

we  went  to  the  door  and  ordered  all  out;  we  then  called 
for  those  that  were  concealed  to  come  out,  or  they  would 
be  punished  when  found.  None  came;  so  some  of  our 
men  were  ordered  to  go  in,  and  see  if  they  could  find 
any.  Two  or  three  were  pulled  out  of  the  hay,  amidst 
shouts  from  their  comrades,  as  well  as  our  men.  Then 
we  fixed  bayonets  and  told  them  we  were  going  to 
thrust  the  bayonets  into  the  hay  in  the  entire  building. 
One  or  two  came  out;  and  presently  the  bayonets  began 
to  be  used.  A  few  strokes,  and  a  man  is  struck,  but 
fortunately  for  him  not  hard  enough  to  hurt  him ;  he  and 
several  others  then  came  out. 

We  formed  our  line  and  commenced  the  march.  At 
Strasburg  we  could  see  EwelTs  division  in  line  of  battle 
on  the  right  of  the  road,  awaiting  the  advance  of  Fre- 
mont, whose  skirmishers  had  made  their  appearance  and 
were  then  engaged  with  Ewell's. 

Our  prisoners  became  very  much  excited  by  this,  and 
declared  loudly  that  Jackson  had  met  his  match  now, 
and  would  be  badly  whipped ;  and  it  would  be  only  a  few 
hours  before  they  would  be  retaken.  After  all  the  wag- 
ons and  prisoners  had  passed,  Jackson  waited  for 
the  Stonewall  brigade  to  arrive,  and  as  soon  as  it  had 
passed,  Ewell  was  withdrawn  and  followed  the  column 
up  the  valley.  Fremont  made  a  big  show  at  one  time 
in  Ewell's  front,  but  hearing  nothing  from  Shields,  who 
for  some  reason  had  not  made  his  appearance,  he  with- 
drew his  men  back  into  the  mountain  fastness,  his  skir- 
mishers following  Ewell  a  short  distance. 

The  plan  to  bag  Jackson  at  Strasburg  had  failed ; 
"  Old  Jack  "  was  too  quick  for  them  ;  besides,  he  had  some 
plans  of  his  own. 

The  next  day,  June  2d,  Fremont  followed  us  in  hot 


ONE  OF  JACKSON'S  FOOT  CAVALRY   91 

pursuit,  and  so  closely  that  our  guard  and  the  prisoners, 
from  the  tops  of  some  of  the  hills  in  our  march,  could 
plainly  see  his  advance. 

Reaching  the  Shenandoah  at  Mt.  Jackson,  Jackson 
gave  Col.  Ashby  orders  to  burn  the  bridge  across  that 
stream,  after  all  our  army  had  passed.  Col.  Ashby  left 
this  to  one  of  his  officers  and  his  men  to  do,  but  they 
were  driven  off  by  the  enemy  before  it  was  accomplished. 
Ashby  learning  this,  took  a  few  men  with  him,  went  back, 
drove  off  the  Yanks,  fired  the  bridge,  and  then  retired ; 
but  as  he  rode  off  his  famous  white  horse  was  shot ! 
This  beautiful  and  great  horse,  that  was  known  by  the 
enemy  as  well  as  it  was  known  in  our  own  army,  was 
thought  by  the  Yanks  to  be  enchanted.  I  have  heard 
their  prisoners  repeatedly  say  that  they  have  often  taken 
deadly  aim,  sometimes  resting  their  g*uns  on  a  fence  or 
wall,  at  that  horse  and  its  rider,  and  the  ball  had  no  ef- 
fect on  either !  He  was  a  grand  horse,  and  after  being 
shot,  carried  Col.  Ashby  about  a  mile  from  the  bridge 
before  he  fell  dead.  This  was  the  first  intimation  he 
had  of  his  horse  being  wounded. 

Shields  marched  up  the  Luray  valley  with  the  intention 
of  getting  into  Jackson's  rear  at  New  Market,  but  "  Old 
Jack  "  defeated  that  by  burning  the  White  House  bridge 
over  the  Shenandoah.  Shields  continued  his  march  up 
that  valley,  expecting  to  force  a  fight  with  Jackson  as 
soon  as  he  and  Fremont  should  unite,  somewhere  in  the 
neighborhood  of  Port  Republic.  Again  Jackson  frus- 
trated their  plans  by  turning  on  Fremont  at  Cross  Keys 
on  June  7th,  and  easily  whipped  him.  In  the  combat 
of  the  6th  we  lost  the  great  Ashby!  He  was  killed 
while  leading  some  infantry,  who  had  been  sent  to  the 
front  to  aid  him.     At  this  time  he  was  the  most  gallant 


92   ONE  OF  JACKSON'S  FOOT  CAVALRY 

and  conspicuous  cavalry  officer  we  had.  Gen.  Jackson 
thought  a  great  deal  of  him,  and  said  that  he  was  a 
born  soldier,  and  also  seemed  to  have  the  faculty  of 
knowing  what  the  enemy  were  doing,  and  when  they 
were  doing  it.  The  army  and  the  Confederacy  could  ill 
afford  to  lose  him,  and  I  think  his  loss  was  never  re- 
paired. In  this  short  time  his  name  was  known  all  over 
the  Confederacy,  and  amongst  the  enemy  just  as  well. 
He  was  a  tower  of  strength  to  us,  as  he  was  more  feared 
by  the  enemy  than  any  man  on  our  side  at  that  time. 
His  remains  were  carried  to  the  University  of  Virginia, 
and  buried  there. 

After  defeating  Fremont  on  the  /th,  Jackson  sent 
some  of  his  troops  to  Port  Republic  on  that  night,  only 
leaving  in  Fremont's  front  Trimble's  brigade  and  the 
Second  brigade,  both  small,  under  command  of  Brig. 
Gen.  Trimble.  His  orders  from  Jackson  were  to  hold 
his  position  as  long  as  he  could,  and  at  the  same  time 
to  make  as  big  a  show  as  possible;  if  he  were  forced  back, 
he  should  fight  at  every  fence,  wall,  ditch,  etc.,  and  keep 
the  enemy  back  as  long  as  possible.  If  he  could  do  this, 
until  ten  o'clock  in  the  morning,  Jackson  would  be  back 
to  reinforce  him.  If  he  were  forced  back  to  the  bridge, 
he  should  burn  it. 

At  the  break  of  day  on  the  8th,  Jackson  commenced 
his  movement  against  Shields.  He  crossed  the  bridge 
over  Middle  river  with  his  troops,  marched  through  the 
town  to  the  South  river,  over  which  he  made  a  bridge  of 
wagons,  like  the  one  on  which  we  crossed  at  Bridgewater, 
a  few  weeks  before.  About  the  middle  of  the  stream, 
where  the  planks  running  from  one  wagon  to  the  next 
should  have  overlapped,  only  one  of  the  planks  did  so, 
the  others  lacking  a  few  inches  of  meeting.     When  the 


ONE  OF  JACKSON'S  FOOT  CAVALRY   93 

men  in  the  front  reached  this  place  in  crossing,  those 
planks  tilted,  and  the  men  were  thrown  into  the  river. 
Those  who  followed  seeing  this,  refused  to  cross  on  those 
planks,  and  waited  for  each  other  as  they  crossed  on  the 
one.  This  caused  a  great  delay  in  the  crossing.  When 
Jackson  found  his  troops  did  not  come  up  as  quickly  as 
they  usually  did,  and  learned  the  cause,  he  ordered  the 
men  to  ford  the  river.  This  was  a  serious  delay  for 
Jackson,  as  time  was  most  important  to  him,  and  there 
is  little  doubt  this  little  incident  ruined  Jackson's  plans, 
and  saved  Fremont  from  utter  rout.  After  getting  his 
troops  over  this  stream,  he  hastened  them  into  position, 
and  launched  them  against  Shields;  and  after  a  severe 
battle  Shields  was  utterly  routed,  Jackson  taking  many 
of  his  guns  and  many  prisoners.  But  time  that  waits 
for  no  man  had  been  lost ! 

Fremont,  hearing  the  heavy  firing  in  the  direction  of 
Shields,  knew  that  he  and  Jackson  were  engaged,  and 
thought  that  Jackson's  force  was  divided.  He  made  a 
demonstration  in  his  front,  then  made  an  attack  on  Trim- 
ble, but  could  not  drive  him  a  foot.  He  now  brought  up 
more  troops,  lengthened  his  lines  on  both  sides,  and  in 
this  way  forced  him  back.  They  fought  all  the  way  to 
the  bridge,  and  it  was  late  in  the  morning  before  they 
were  driven  to  the  bridge ;  after  crossing  that  they  burned 
it. 

Jackson,  recalling  his  troops  from  the  pursuit  of 
Shields,  was  hurrying  across  the  battlefield  to  Trimble, 
whom  he  had  not  heard  from,  when  his  army  was  fiercely 
assailed  by  Fremont's  artillery.  He  was  on  the  other 
side  of  the  river,  and  had  placed  his  artillery  on  the  high 
banks  that  overlooked  the  battlefield  of  Shields.  Jack- 
son withdrew  his  men  behind  the  hills  for  protection  and 


94   ONE  OF  JACKSON'S  FOOT  CAVALRY 

there  heard  of  Trimble's  inability  to  keep  the  enemy  back 
for  a  longer  time.  Without  the  accident  at  the  bridge 
of  wagons,  there  is  not  the  least  doubt  of  Jackson  being 
able  to  carry  out  his  plan  to  the  very  letter,  and  Fremont 
would  have  been  wiped  off  the  face  of  the  earth.  As 
it  was,  the  campaign  ended  in  a  blaze  of  glory  that  was 
sounded  from  one  end  of  the  world  to  the  other ! 

Jackson's  loss  with  Shields  was  heavy,  and  amounted 
to  as  much  as  he  had  previously  lost  in  the  campaign. 
The  loss  of  Shields  was  also  heavy,  and  Fremont's  loss 
was  largely  in  excess  of  Jackson's. 

Jackson  stayed  behind  the  hills,  in  the  neighborhood 
of  Brown's  Gap,  until  the  12th,  when  he  marched  up  the 
Shenandoah  to  the  neighborhood  of  Weyer's  Cave,  and 
camped  in  a  beautiful  country.  In  the  meantime,  Fre- 
mont had  become  frightened,  and  retreated  towards 
Winchester.     This  ended  the  great  Valley  Campaign. 

One  of  the  Yankee  prisoners  marched  at  my  side  daily, 
talking  about  what  he  was  going  to  do  with  me  when 
they  were  retaken,  and  how  he  would  take  care  of  my 
gun.  While  we  were  uneasy  all  the  time,  for  fear  they 
might  make  a  break  for  liberty,  we  never  had  a  thought 
of  their  being  rescued  except  on  one  occasion.  On  the 
5th,  after  marching  a  short  distance  past  Port  Republic, 
we  halted,  and  were  told  that  we  would  camp  there  for 
the  night.  While  our  lieutenant  colonel  was  looking  over 
the  ground,  an  order  came  from  Gen.  Jackson  for  us  to 
move  on,  and  a  few  cavalry  were  ordered  to  report  to 
Col.  Cunningham.  This  did  not  excite  suspicion  amongst 
the  guard,  but  about  nine  o'clock  one  of  our  officers  came 
to  me  and  whispered  in  my  ear  that  the  enemy  were  in 
Port  Republic,  and  I  must  keep  the  strictest  watch,  and 
under  no  circumstances  let  a  prisoner  escape.     I  did  not 


ONE  OF  JACKSON'S  FOOT  CAVALRY   95 

know  what  to  think.  The  enemy  in  Port  Republic  meant 
that  they  were  between  us  and  Jackson,  and  the  prison- 
ers' expectation  of  release  might  be  realized.  We 
marched  until  about  midnight,  and  went  into  camp  near 
New  Hope  for  a  few  hours'  rest.  The  next  morning 
we  were  up  early,  and  marched  to  Waynesboro. 

The  report  of  the  enemy  being  in  Port  Republic  on  the 
5th  was  untrue,  but  the  advance  of  Shields  did  enter  the 
village  soon  on  the  morning  of  the  6th,  and  came  near 
capturing  Gen.  Jackson.  There  are  several  versions  of 
his  escape,  but  all  agree  that  it  was  by  the  merest  chance. 
Most  of  his  staff,  that  were  with  him  at  the  time,  were 
captured.  This  body  of  the  enemy,  it  is  said,  learned 
the  direction  the  prisoners  had  been  sent,  and  part  of 
them  made  an  attempt  to  follow  us,  but  were  driven 
back  by  some  of  our  artillery,  supported  by  a  small  body 
of  infantry. 

We  remained  in  Waynesboro,  and  heard  the  cannon- 
ading at  Cross  Keys  and  Port  Republic.  The  prisoners 
were  very  excited,  it  would  have  taken  very  little  to  stam- 
pede them :  every  man  was  on  duty,  and  it  was  a  great 
strain  on  our  men ;  and  when  more  prisoners  were 
brought  us,  with  the  information  that  Jackson  had  de- 
feated Fremont,  the  relief  was  almost  overpowering. 
Amongst  a  small  squad  of  prisoners,  brought  us  here  by 
some  cavalry,  was  an  Englishman,  captured  on  the  6th, 
calling  himself  Sir  Percy  Wyndham.  He  was  a  colonel 
in  the  Yankee  army,  and,  it  is  said,  requested  to  be  sent 
to  the  valley,  as  he  would  capture  the  rebel  Ashby  the 
first  time  he  got  within  striking  distance  of  him.  Ashby 
with  some  of  his  cavalry  met  Sir  Percy  near  Harrison- 
burg and  almost  the  first  man  taken  by  Ashby  was  this 
same  Sir  Percy.     He  was  made  to  march  on  foot  with 


96   ONE  OF  JACKSON'S  FOOT  CAVALRY 

other  prisoners  from  the  place  of  his  capture  to  Waynes- 
boro, and  when  he  reached  us,  was  the  most  exasperated 
man  I  had  seen  for  a  long  time.  He  said  that  in  his 
army  (the  English),  when  an  officer  of  his  rank  was 
captured,  he  was  taken  charge  of  by  an  officer  of  like 
rank,  and  treated  accordingly,  until  exchanged  or  paroled. 
Here  he  was  marched  through  mud  and  mire,  and  that, 
too,  by  a  rebel  private ;  it  was  enough  to  make  a  saint 
swear.  We  treated  him  as  other  prisoners,  making  no 
distinction  in  his  favor  as  he  thought  we  ought,  as  he 
had  come  all  the  way  across  the  ocean  to  capture  Ashby! 

On  the  evening  of  the  8th  we  conducted  our  prisoners 
from  Waynesboro,  crossing  the  Blue  Ridge  at  Rockfish 
Gap.  They  did  not  give  up  hope  of  being  retaken  un- 
til they  had  crossed  the  mountain,  when  they  became  as 
meek  as  lambs,  and  gave  us  very  little  trouble.  We 
reached  North  Garden  depot,  on  the  Orange  and  Alex- 
andria R.  R.,  on  the  9th,  and  went  into  camp.  Here 
one  of  the  prisoners  made  a  break  for  liberty;  the  guard 
fired  at  him,  but  missed,  so  he  got  away. 

We  took  the  cars  on  the  nth,  and  went  to  Lynch- 
burg, marched  our  prisoners  through  the  town  to  the 
fair  grounds,  where  we  guarded  them  until  the  18th. 
We  turned  them  over  to  the  city  guard,  and  went  by  rail 
to  Charlottesville,  leaving  the  train,  however,  about  a 
mile  from  the  town.  We  camped  on  the  side  of  the  rail- 
road, staying  there  until  Jackson  marched  by  on  his  way 
to  Richmond,  when  we  rejoined  our  brigade.  It  was  the 
unanimous  desire  of  the  regiment  never  to  have  charge 
of  prisoners  again. 


XII 

THE    SEVEN    DAYS'    CAMPAIGN 

On  June  17,  1862,  Jackson  broke  camp  in  the  valley, 
and  marched  towards  Gordonsville.  As  he  passed 
through  Charlottesville  on  the  21st,  our  regiment  re- 
joined its  brigade.  We  were  plied  with  many  questions 
as  to  the  destination  of  the  army,  and  we  made  as  many 
inquiries  of  our  comrades  in  the  brigade,  but  all  agreed 
that  we  knew  nothing.  We  guessed  that  on  reaching 
Gordonsville  we  would  file  to  the  left,  and  fall  upon  the 
enemy  under  McDowell  at  Fredericksburg,  or  our  desti- 
nation was  Washington,  and  this  circuitous  route  was 
taken  to  mystify  the  enemy.  None  of  us  had  a  single 
thought  of  Richmond.  Why  then  send  Whiting's  divi- 
sion to  the  valley  to  join  Jackson?  When  we  reached 
Gordonsville,  we  kept  the  same  road,  and  when  we  ar- 
rived at  Louisa  C.  H.,  some  cars  came  along  on  the  Cen- 
tral R.  R.  and  took  up  the  troops  that  were  marching  in 
the  rear,  and  carried  them  to  Beaver  Dam  depot.  These 
cars  returned,  and  took  up  those  in  the  rear  again,  and 
carried  them  to  the  same  place.  In  this  way  Jackson 
would  help  his  men  with  cars  on  a  march. 

We  now  decided  that  we  were  going  to  Richmond  to 
help  Lee ;  and  that  the  sending  of  Whiting  to  the  valley 
was  a  ruse  to  have  two  effects,  one  on  McClellan  at 
Richmond,  and  one  on  the  enemy  in  the  valley;  and,  it 
is  said,  that  it  was  successful  in  both  directions.  Jack- 
son's men  realized  that  we  would  have  to  do  some  des- 

97 


98   ONE  OF  JACKSON'S  FOOT  CAVALRY 

pcrate  fighting,  since  we  knew  we  could  not  stay  in  Rich; 
moncl ;  and  the  only  way  for  us  to  leave  was  to  attack 
McClellan,  and  drive  him  away. 

We  reached  Ashland  on  the  25th,  and  received  orders 
to  cook  three  days'  rations.  The  next  morning  we 
marched  as  soon  as  the  column  could  be  formed,  leaving 
the  road  we  had  been  following,  and  taking  one  on  the 
left,  going  in  the  direction  of  the  Central  R.  R.  crossing 
near  Peak's  turnout ;  marching  to  the  neighborhood  of 
Pole  Green  Church,  we  stacked  arms  and  rested  for  the 
night.  We  saw  the  first  signs  of  the  Yankees'  presence 
in  our  march  to-day :  the  telegraph  wires  were  cut  not  far 
from  Ashland.  In  the  evening,  Gen.  Stuart's  cavalry, 
which  had  joined  us,  had  a  brisk  skirmish  in  our  front, 
killing,  wounding,  and  capturing  some  of  the  enemy. 
Those  prisoners  were  the  first  of  McClellan's  army  that 
we  saw. 

We  were  up  and  moving  early  the  next  morning.  At 
Pole  Green  Church  we  found  that  Stuart's  men  needed 
the  assistance  of  our  infantry,  in  order  to  clear  the  way. 
Some  regiments  were  ordered  forward,  and  soon  cap- 
tured nearly  all  the  Bucktail  regiment  of  Pennsylvanians 
at  Hundley's  corner.  We  did  not  know  whether  Mc- 
Clellan had  learned  that  Jackson  was  in  the  neighbor- 
hood, or  thought  the  column  was  a  part  of  Lee's  force. 
We  continued  the  march  now  without  any  obstruction, 
and  soon  we  heard  the  musketry  and  artillery  of  Long- 
street  and  Hill,  commencing  the  attack  on  McClellan  at 
Gaines'  mill ;  and  we  learned  that  we  were  about  to  unite 
with  them  in  an  attack.  We  had  thought  until  now  that 
they  were  on  the  south  side  of  the  Chickahominy,  and 
that  we  were  to  make  the  attack  from  the  north  side 
alone. 


ONE  OF  JACKSON'S  FOOT  CAVALRY   99 

Our  march  was  kept  up  in  quick  time,  the  firing  be- 
coming heavier  in  our  front,  and  was  the  heaviest  mus- 
ketry I  heard  during  the  war.  We  marched  on,  and 
towards  evening  halted  and  retraced  our  steps  until  we 
came  to  a  road  we  had  passed  some  time  before.  This 
road  was  to  the  east,  and  we  kept  it  until  our  divi- 
sion halted,  was  ordered  to  load,  and  a  line  of  battle 
was  formed  and  ordered  forward  through  a  pine  thicket 
so  dense  that  a  man  ten  yards  in  front  could  not  be  seen. 

The  Second  Brigade  was  on  the  right  of  the  division, 
the  Stonewall  next,  and  the  Third  Brigade  on  the  left. 
The  division  was  about  the  center  of  Gen.  Lee's  line  of 
battle,  and  in  going  through  the  thicket  the  division, 
having  no  guides,  lost  its  way;  our  orders  being  to  press 
forward  to  the  firing  in  front.  The  division  obeyed ; 
but,  very  singularly,  the  Stonewall  Brigade  crossed  the 
line  of  march,  and  when  it  reached  the  firing  line,  it  was 
on  the  left,  coming  up  just  in  time  to  help  D.  H.  Hill, 
whose  line  was  giving  way.  The  united  force  swept 
everything  before  it.  The  Third  Brigade,  maintaining 
nearly  a  straight  line,  came  up  to  Whiting's  line  as  it 
was  falling  back,  and  their  united  efforts  drove  the 
enemy  at  that  point.  When  the  Second  Brigade  emerged 
from  the  thicket,  they  had,  like  the  Stonewall,  taken  a 
long  swing,  but  towards  the  right,  and  we  entered  an 
open  field.  Not  far  ahead  we  saw  two  men  on  horse- 
back, who  seemed  to  be  in  a  consultation,  and,  as  we 
approached  them,  we  recognized  at  once  our  beloved 
leader,  Gen.  Lee,  on  his  well  remembered  gray,  and 
President  Davis.  We  passed  them  with  a  cheer,  and 
they  recognized  it  by  raising  their  hats.  Here  are  two 
of  the  most  notable  men  of  the  Confederacy  in  close 
consultation  on  the  battlefield,  and,  from  their  appearance, 


ioo  ONE  OF  JACKSON'S  FOOT  CAVALRY 

no  one  would  imagine  that  the  fortunes  of  the  war  were 
on  their  shoulders. 

President  Davis  looked  calm  and  self-possessed,  and 
seemed  to  look  on  us  with  interest,  it  being  the  first 
time  he  had  seen  our  brigade. 

Gen.  Lee  was  as  calm  and  dignified  as  ever  in  giving 
us  the  salute. 

We  went  straight  ahead,  and  not  long  afterwards  we 
came  in  sight  of  some  of  our  troops,  who  seemed  in 
confusion,  and  giving  ground.  Our  brigade  com- 
mander, Lt.  Col.  Cunningham  of  the  21st  Regt.,  rode 
forward  to  the  brigade  commanded  by  Brig.  Gen.  An- 
derson of  Longstreet's  division,  on  the  extreme  right  of 
our  line.  I  was  told  he  said  to  Gen.  Anderson  that  his 
brigade  was  coming,  and  he  would  take  the  front.  Gen. 
Anderson  thanked  him,  and  said,  that  because  of  the 
arrival  of  Jackson's  men,  he  could  finish  what  his  bri- 
gade had  commenced.  He  moved  his  men  to  the  right', 
and  made  an  attack  on  the  enemy's  flank,  while  the 
Second  Brigade  kept  them  busy  in  front;  and  when  An- 
derson's men  gave  the  yell,  we  went  forward  on  a  run, 
and  the  works  were  carried  by  Anderson  in  gallant 
style. 

This  was  the  strongest  point  I  saw  occupied  by  either 
army  during  the  war.  In  the  enemy's  front  for  half  a 
mile  was  an  open  field,  with  a  hill  gently  sloping  to- 
wards them,  at  the  foot  of  which  a  creek  ran  that  had 
washed  its  banks  perpendicular,  about  six  to  eight  feet 
deep;  it  was  eight  to  ten  feet  wide.  When  we  jumped 
in,  we  could  not  get  out  without  assistance.  We  threw 
our  guns  on  the  side  next  the  enemy.  One  comrade 
then  helped  another  out,  and  when  he  had  scaled  the 
bank,  he  stooped  or  lay  down  and  pulled  another  out. 


ONE  OF  JACKSON'S  FOOT  CAVALRY     101 

It  was  almost  level  from  this  creek  for  about  fifty  to  one 
hundred  yards,  where  there  was  a  steep  and  high  hill. 
This  hill  was  covered  by  a  large  and  open  wood.  At  its 
foot  a  rail  fence  ran,  which  had  been  converted  into  an 
excellent  breastwork.  This  was  the  enemy's  first  line 
of  battle.  About  twenty-five  yards  up  the  hill  was  a 
second  line  of  breastworks,  made  of  logs  and  dirt,  and 
about  the  same  distance  in  its  rear,  on  top  of  the  hill, 
was  another  line  behind  similar  breastworks,  and  behind 
this  was  their  artillery,  which  had  a  full  sweep  at  us 
as  soon  as  we  entered  the  clearing  in  their  front. 
Charging  this  point,  Anderson  on  the  flank,  we  in  front, 
we  drove  the  enemy  out,  and,  on  top  of  the  hill,  we 
entered  a  field  that  was  filled  with  Yanks  and  Confed- 
erates. The  line  on  the  left  of  us  having  been  carried 
too,  every  man  was  yelling  and  shooting  into  the  mass 
of  the  enemy  as  fast  as  he  could  load;  this  was  con- 
tinued until  it  was  so  dark  that  we  could  not  see. 

The  position  taken  by  Jackson's  division  in  this  battle 
is  rather  remarkable.  Our  orders  were  to  march  right 
ahead  to  the  firing,  as  before  stated.  Not  having  guides, 
in  our  moving  about  in  the  thicket,  the  brigades  finally 
emerged  apart,  and  in  going  to  the  front,  each  brigade 
moved,  as  was  thought,  in  a  straight  line ;  but  one  went 
to  the  extreme  right,  another  near  the  center,  and  the 
other  to  the  extreme  left,  yet  each  reached  its  destina- 
tion when  assistance  was  greatly  needed.  Thus  it  seems 
that  the  old  division,  which  had  such  a  bad  start,  put 
itself  into  a  better  place  than  "  Old  Jack  "  himself  had 
ordered,  and  played  no  small  part  in  the  success  of  this 
great  battle. 

Late  in  the  night  we  lay  down  on  the  hard-won  field 
to    take    some    rest,    but   the    cries    and   groans    of   the 


102  ONE  OF  JACKSON'S  FOOT  CAVALRY 

wounded  kept  many  of  us  awake  all  night.  In  the  morn- 
ing we  could  see  the  result  of  the  battle:  the  greatest 
slaughter  of  the  enemy  in  the  field,  the  dead  and 
wounded  numbering  thousands.  A  large  number  of 
cannon  were  captured  in  this  field ;  I  don't  know  how 
many.  I  counted  fifteen  on  one  hill,  standing  just  as 
the  enemy  left  them:  on  this  same  hill  I  saw  the  first 
machine  gun,  with  its  handle  to  turn  out  a  bullet  at 
every  revolution.  I  saw  another,  which  was  captured 
during  the  seven  days'  fight,  the  only  ones  seen  by  the 
writer  during  the  war. 

During  the  night  the  enemy  made  good  their  escape 
across  the  Chickahominy,  destroying  the  bridge  in  our 
front.  Replacing  this,  so  that  we  could  cross,  delayed 
Jackson's  command  all  day.  The  enemy  sent  up  a  large 
balloon  for  observation  during  the  day,  and  some  of 
our  guns  fired  at  it.  Whether  it  had  any  effect  towards 
making  its  occupants  retire  or  not,  I  cannot  say,  but  they 
were  up  only  a  short  time. 

Longstreet  and  A.  P.  Hill  crossed  higher  up  the 
stream,  and  went  in  pursuit  of  the  enemy,  and 
Magruder's  troops  made  an  attack  on  the  enemy  in  the 
evening  near  Savage  Station. 

The  bridge  being  ready  on  the  morning  of  June  30, 
Jackson's  command  crossed  early  to  the  south  side  of 
the  stream,  passing  in  our  march  the  house  McClellan 
had  used  as  his  headquarters,  and  thence  on  to  the  Wil- 
liamsburg turnpike.  Here  we  passed  some  of  Gen.  Lee's 
troops,  who  had  halted  for  us  to  take  the  front.  We 
created  much  excitement  and  enthusiasm,  as  we  were 
just  from  Jackson's  brilliant  valley  campaign,  and  many 
remarks  and  cheers  greeted  us.  I  remember  that  our 
captain  had  a  saber  but  no  scabbard,   and  the  remark 


ONE  OF  JACKSON'S  FOOT  CAVALRY     103 

was  made  several  times  along  the  march,  "  See  there,  the 
officers  don't  even  carry  scabbards  for  their  swords." 
"  No  wonder  they  march  so,  the  men  carry  no  baggage." 
As  a  general  thing,  our  knapsacks  had  been  discarded 
long  ago.  We  passed  the  held  on  which  Magruder 
made  the  attack  on  the  enemy  the  evening  before,  and 
saw  many  of  the  enemy's  dead  along  the  road,  and  it 
was  strange  that  nearly  every  one  was  shot  near  the 
heart.  Reaching  the  toll  gate,  we  saw  a  man  sitting  on 
a  box  leaning  against  the  gate  post,  and  soon  discovered 
that  he  was  dead.  We  passed  Savage  farm,  and  saw 
hundreds  of  tents  standing,  which  were  used  by  the 
enemy  for  hospitals,  and  nearly  all  were  full  of  sick  and 
wounded  of  the  enemy. 

We  marched  to  the  vicinity  of  White  Oak  Swamp, 
where  skirmishers  were  thrown  forward;  some  of  our 
artillery  was  brought  into  position,  and  firing  com- 
menced. Gen.  Jackson  ascertained  that  the  enemy  had 
made  a  stand  here.  We  were  moved  from  place  to 
place,  looking  for  a  place  to  cross ;  at  night  we  lay  down 
on  the  ground  for  a  little  rest.  Early  in  the  morning 
we  resumed  the  march,  as  the  enemy  had  left  during 
the  night.  Crossing  the  swamp  on  a  bridge  of  logs,  we 
followed  in  hot  pursuit,  and  found  the  enemy  in  position 
at  Malvern  Hill.  Gen.  Jackson  promptly  formed  his 
line  of  battle ;  our  division  in  a  wood  on  the  right  of  the 
road,  in  three  lines,  the  second  brigade  being  in  the  third 
line.  The  enemy  shelled  us  terribly  the  whole  time. 
Just  about  dark  the  second  brigade  was  ordered  to 
march  by  the  left  flank,  and  entering  the  road,  we 
marched  towards  Malvern  Hill,  crossed  a  creek,  and 
soon  were  in  a  field  at  the  edge  of  which  we  halted, 
staying  there  the  remainder  of  the  night.     I  sat  down 


104  ONE  OF  JACKSON'S  FOOT  CAVALRY 

in  a  fence  corner  to  get  a  little  rest,  and  had  not  been 
there  long  before  one  of  our  men,  wounded,  came  along, 
and  was  begging  for  water.  Having  some  in  my  can- 
teen, I  stopped  him  and  gave  him  a  drink.  He  sat 
down  and  complained  very  much  of  being  weak.  I  gave 
him  something  to  eat  from  my  scanty  rations ;  he  seemed 
very  thankful,  and  revived  a  little,  but  soon  complained 
of  being  cold.  I  unrolled  my  blanket,  and  made  him 
lie  down,  and  covered  him  with  it ;  a  little  while  after 
I  got  cold  too,  so  crept  under  the  blanket  with  the 
wounded  man,  fell  asleep,  and  did  not  wake  until  morn- 
ing. I  then  crawled  from  under  the  blanket  as  care- 
fully as  I  could,  to  avoid  disturbing  him,  went  to  the 
creek,  took  a  wash,  filled  my  canteen,  and  brought  it  to 
my  friend,  tried  to  arouse  him,  but  he  was  dead. 

The  enemy  fled  during  the  night,  and  my  division 
was  ordered  back,  stopping  at  Willis'  Church  the  re- 
mainder of  the  day.  It  had  commenced  to  rain,  and 
was  very  disagreeable.  \\  nile  we  were  here,  I  went  to 
the  spring  for  water,  but  found  a  dead  Yankee  lying 
with  his  face  in  the  spring.  I  suppose  the  poor  fellow 
had  been  wounded  in  the  fight  two  days  before  with 
Longstreet's  command,  and  going  to  the  spring,  had 
leaned  down  to  drink,  and  death  overtook  him.  The 
next  morning  we  moved  in  pursuit  of  the  enemy,  and 
found  them  at  Harrison's  Landing  on  James  river, 
busily  fortifying.  Jackson's  command  remained  there, 
most  of  the  time  in  line  of  battle,  until  the  8th,  when 
our  division  was  moved  back  one  and  one-half  miles  to  a 
creek,  where  Gen.  Jackson  said  he  would  like  all  of  us 
to  take  a  bath,  and  would  give  us  several  hours  to  do 
it.  This  was  much  needed;  because  of  the  constant 
duty  and  scarcity  of  water,  some  of  the  men  had  not 


ONE  OF  JACKSON'S  FOOT  CAVALRY     105 

washed    their    faces    and   hands    for   five    or    six    days. 

We  marched  from  this  place  to  White  Oak  Swamp, 
where  we  rested  for  the  night;  and  the  next  morning 
Jackson's  command  took  up  its  march  for  Richmond, 
marching  around  the  city  on  its  northeast  side.  During 
this  march  we  moved  along  the  York  River  Railroad 
some  distance.  We  saw  many  large  warehouses  in 
which  the  enemy  had  stores.  Some  were  burning,  others 
were  partially  burned,  and  some  were  captured  before 
they  were  fired. 

Jackson's  division  was  marched  to  Morris  farm  on 
the  Mechanicsville  turnpike,  and  there  went  into  camp 
on  the  nth.  Gen.  Jackson  on  the  next  day  gave  F 
Company  permission  to  spend  the  day  in  Richmond. 
To  most  of  the  company  that  was  a  great  day,  many  of 
them  not  having  been  in  the  city  since  they  left  it  a  year 
ago.  What  changes  had  taken  place  in  one  year.  We 
left  Richmond  a  year  ago  in  new  uniforms,  with  the 
fair  complexion  of  city  men,  some  frail  and  spare,  none 
of  us  with  one  exception  having  seen  anything  of  real 
war.  We  returned  now  ruddy  and  brown,  with  the 
health  and  hardness  that  outdoor  living  creates,  and 
were  veterans.  Our  welcome  was  an  ovation,  and  it 
made  us  feel  our  standing  in  public  esteem.  The  only 
thing  we  regretted  as  our  time  closed  was  that  the  day 
did  not  last  forever. 

We  stayed  at  Morris  farm  several  days,  taking  a  much 
needed  rest,  the  first  we  had  had  since  April  30th.  Dur- 
ing the  time  that  ended  now  at  Morris  farm,  Jackson's 
men  had  marched  over  five  hundred  and  fifty  miles, 
fought  nine  battles,  many  skirmishes,  captured  several 
thousand  prisoners,  large  quantities  of  small  arms  and 
cannon,  wagons,  and  stores. 


106  ONE  OF  JACKSON'S  FOOT  CAVALRY 

At  the  commencement  of  the  war,  the  Southern  army 
was  as  poorly  armed  as  any  body  of  men  ever  had  been. 
In  the  infantry,  my  own  regiment  as  an  example,  one 
company  had  Springfield  muskets,  one  had  Enfield,  one 
had  Mississippi  rifles,  the  remainder  the  old  smooth  bore 
flint-lock  musket  that  had  been  altered  to  a  percussion 
gun.  The  cavalry  was  so  badly  equipped  that  hardly  a 
company  was  uniform  in  that  particular;  some  had 
sabers,  nothing  more,  some  had  double-barrel  guns,  some 
had  nothing  but  lances,  while  others  had  something  of 
all.  One  man  with  a  saber,  another  with  a  pistol,  an- 
other with  a  musket,  another  a  shotgun,  not  half  a  dozen 
men  in  the  company  armed  alike.  The  artillery  was 
better,  but  the  guns  were  mostly  smooth  bore,  and  some 
of  the  horses  had  wagon  and  plow  harness.  It  did  not 
take  long  for  the  army  of  Northern  Va.  to  arm  itself 
with  better  material.  When  Jackson's  troops  marched 
from  the  valley  for  Richmond  to  join  Lee  in  his  attack 
on  McClellan,  they  had  captured  enough  arms  from  the 
enemy  to  replace  all  that  were  inferior,  and  after  the 
battles  around  Richmond,  all  departments  of  Lee's  army 
wrere  as  well  armed.  After  that  time,  the  captures  from 
the  enemy  kept  us  up  to  their  standard.  Our  ammuni- 
tion was  always  inferior  to  theirs. 

Towards  the  close  of  the  war,  nearly  all  equipments 
in  the  army  of  Northern  Va.  were  articles  captured 
from  the  Yankees.  All  the  wagons  were  captured,  and 
to  look  at  them  on  a  inarch,  one  would  not  know  that 
they  belonged  to  the  Confederacy,  many  of  them  hav- 
ing the  name  of  the  brigade,  division  and  corps  of  the 
Yankee  army  branded  on  them.  Nearly  all  the  mules 
and  horses  had  U.  S.  branded  on  them;  our  ambulances 
were  from  the  same  generous  provider,  our  tents  also, 


ONE  OF  JACKSON'S  FOOT  CAVALRY     107 

many  of  them  having  the  name  of  the  company,  etc., 
branded  on  them;  most  of  the  blankets  were  those 
marked  U.  S.,  also  the  rubber  blankets  or  cloths;  the 
very  clothing  that  the  men  wore  was  mostly  captured, 
as  we  were  allowed  to  wear  their  pants,  underclothing 
and  overcoats.  As  for  myself,  I  purchased  only  one 
hat,  one  pair  of  shoes,  and  one  jacket  after  1861.  We 
captured  immense  quantities  of  provisions,  and  nearly 
all  the  "  hard  tack  "  and  pork  issued  to  us  was  cap- 
tured. 

On  the  1 6th  we  received  orders  to  march  to  Rich- 
mond, where  we  took  cars  of  the  Richmond,  Fredericks- 
burg and  Potomac  R.  R.,  and  on  reaching  the  junction, 
were  transferred  to  the  Central  Railroad  and  conveyed 
to  Louisa  C.  H.  This  route  was  necessitated  by  the 
enemy  having  destroyed  a  portion  of  the  Central  Rail- 
road between  Richmond  and  the  junction,  now  known 
as  Doswells,  and  it  had  not  been  repaired  at  that  time. 


XIII 

CEDAR   RUN 

We  remained  at  Louisa  C.  H.  a  day,  and  marched  to 
Gordonsville,  then  to  Liberty  Mills,  then  to  Mechanics- 
ville,  not  far  from  Louisa  C.  H.,  staying  two  or  three 
days  at  each  place.  On  August  4th  we  marched 
again  to  Liberty  Mills.  These  movements  were  occa- 
sioned by  reports  from  the  enemy  in  our  front,  who  had 
raised  a  new  army,  "  The  Army  of  Virginia/'  com- 
manded by  Gen.  Pope,  who  said  he  had  been  doing  great 
things  in  the  Western  army.  In  his  order  to  his  troops 
on  taking  command  he  said  he  had  never  seen  anything 
"  but  the  backs  of  the  rebels,  his  headquarters  were  in 
the  saddle,  and  he  wanted  the  talk  of  guarding  the  rear 
of  his  army  stopped,  as  an  invading  army  had  no  rear, 
it  was  useless  to  make  provision  to  look  after  communi- 
cations in  that  direction."  In  less  than  a  month  he 
found  out  that  his  army  did  not  have  any  rear,  as  Jack- 
son had  quietly  slipped  into  Manassas,  and  gobbled  it 
up.  Gen.  Stuart  with  his  cavalry  had  previously  raided 
his  headquarters  at  Catlett's  Station,  capturing  his 
official  papers  and  his  military  dress  coat. 

On  August  7th  we  left  Liberty  Mills  and  marched 
to  Orange  C.  H.  We  were  up  early  the  next  morning 
and  on  the  march.  During  the  day  we  were  joined  by 
A.  P.  Hill's  division  and  Stafford's  Louisiana  Brigade. 
Our  advance  guard  reaching  Barnett's  Ford  on  the 
Rapidan  river,  found  the  enemy  in  their  front,  and 
offering  some  resistance  to  our  crossing.     Near  the  ford 

108 


SECOND   CAPTAIN    RICHARD   II.    CUNNINGHAM.    JR. 


Opposite   page   10S. 


ONE  OF  JACKSON'S  FOOT  CAVALRY     109 

we  passed  a  "  Quaker  cannon,"  which  our  advance  had 
rigged  up.  It  was  the  hind  part  of  a  wagon  with  a 
black  log  on  it.  Our  men  ran  this  out  on  a  hill  in  full 
sight  of  the  Yanks,  and  advanced  at  the  same  time  with  a 
cheer.  The  enemy  left  the  ford  in  a  hurry.  They  could 
not  stand  the  sight  of  the  cannon.  Soon  after  crossing 
the  river,  I  saw  one  of  our  cavalrymen  with  a  saber 
wound ;  his  ear  was  nearly  severed  from  his  head. 

On  crossing  the  river,  we  took  the  direct  road  to 
Culpeper  C.  H.,  forded  Robertson  river  in  the  after- 
noon, and  about  sunset  went  into  camp  in  a  wood  near 
the  road.  About  midnight  we  were  awakened  by  the 
firing  of  musketry,  and  the  ting  of  balls  falling  amongst 
us.  Each  man  rose  up  and  took  his  place  in  ranks 
more  quickly  than  I  ever  saw  it  done ;  and  when  the 
order  was  given  to  "  take  arms,"  every  man  had  his 
gun  ready  for  action.  We  marched  to  the  road  and 
halted,  to  await  orders  from  headquarters.  The  firing 
soon  ceased.  It  resulted  from  the  surprise  of  some 
Yankee  cavalry  on  their  way  from  Madison  C.  H.  to 
Culpeper  C.  H.  They  were  ignorant  of  our  advance, 
and,  being  halted  by  our  guard,  they  began  to  retreat, 
and  after  a  brisk  skirmish  made  off  as  soon  as  they 
could  extricate  themselves.  In  this  affair  my  regiment 
got  into  ranks  directly  from  their  beds,  and  when  we 
marched  back  to  our  camp,  the  laugh  began ;  and  those 
old  Confederates  made  the  woods  ring  with  shouts. 
Some  of  the  men  were  in  their  shirt  sleeves,  some  hav- 
ing on  them  nothing  but  shirts,  some  with  one  shoe  on, 
etc.,  hardly  one  with  a  hat,  but  every  man  was  in  his 
place. 

On  the  next  morning,  August  9th,  we  resumed  the 
march,   Ewell's   division  in   front,   Jackson's  next,   and 


no  ONE  OF  JACKSON'S  FOOT  CAVALRY 

Hill  bringing  up  the  rear.  About  one  o'clock  we  heard 
the  boom  of  cannon  in  our  front,  and  we  knew  that 
Pope  had  made  a  stand.  The  column  hurried  up, 
Ewell  filing  to  the  right,  and  sending  the  first  line  of 
skirmishers  forward. 

"  Peace  and  beauty  all  around  us,  death  and  danger  just 
ahead, 
On  our  faces  careless  courage,  in  our  hearts  a  sombre 
dread. 

"  Then  the  skirmish  line  went  forward,  and  the  only  sounds 
we  heard 
Were  the  hum  of  droning  insects  and  the  carol  of  a  bird ; 
Till,  far  off,  a  flash  of  fire,  and  a  little  cloud  went  by, 
Like  an  angel's  mantle  floating  down  from  out  an  azure 
sky. 

"  Then  a  shell  went  screaming  o'er  us,  and  the  air  at  once 
was  rife 
With  a  million  whispering  hornets,  swiftly  searching  for 

a  life ; 
And  the  birds  and  insects  fled  away  before  the  '  rebel  yell,' 
The  thunder  of  the  battle,  and  the  furious  flames  of  hell." 

Our  division  was  hurried  along  the  road  some  dis- 
tance, the  Second  Brigade  marched  to  the  front  of  the 
column  and  halted,  the  roll  was  called,  we  were  ordered 
to  load,  and,  after  a  few  minutes  of  rest,  we  resumed 
the  hurried  march.  Going  a  short  distance,  the  men  on 
the  left  of  the  road  cleared  the  way  for  a  cannon  ball 
that  came  bounding  along  like  a  boy's  ball.  The  force 
with  which  it  wras  traveling  is  indicated  by  its  striking 
the  stump  of  a  tree,  glancing  up,  and  going  out  of  sight. 
A  little  farther  on  we  came  to  four  of  our  men  lying 


ONE  OF  JACKSON'S  FOOT  CAVALRY  in 

in  the  road  dead,  killed  by  this  same  ball.  The  road 
was  fairly  alive  now  with  shot  and  shell  from  the  enemy, 
and  we  filed  to  the  left  into  the  wood,  went  about  one 
hundred  yards,  filed  to  the  right,  and  continued  our 
march,  parallel  to  the  road.  We  passed  an  old  Con- 
federate standing  beside  a  small  sapling,  with  one  hand 
resting  on  it,  and  we  asked  him,  "  What  is  the  matter?  " 
He  said,  "  I  don't  want  to  fight.  I  ain't  mad  with  any- 
body." This  put  all  in  a  good  humor,  and  amidst 
laughter  and  cheers  we  continued  the  march.  After 
going  several  hundred  yards  we  halted  and  were  ordered 
to  lie  down.  The  enemy  were  shelling  this  wood  ter- 
ribly, and  our  Captain  Morgan  was  killed  by  them. 
After  a  short  stay  we  were  ordered  forward,  and  halted 
on  the  edge  of  the  wood,  beside  the  main  road  that  ran 
north  and  south.  The  woods  we  occupied  extended 
north  about  one  hundred  and  fifty  yards  to  a  field.  This 
field  continued  along  the  road  for  about  two  hundred 
yards  to  another  wood. 

The  Second  Brigade  formed  a  line  of  battle  in  the 
corner  or  angle  of  the  wood,  the  21st  Va.  Regt.  on  the 
right,  the  48th  Va.  next,  both  facing  east,  the  42d  Va. 
next,  and,  at  right  angles  to  the  road  and  facing  north, 
the  Irish  battalion  next,  forming  the  left.  The  brigade 
thus  formed  a  right  angle.  In  front  of  the  21st  and 
48th  there  was  a  large  field  surrounded  by  a  rail  fence, 
the  road  running  between  the  wood  and  fence.  In  the 
open  about  three  or  four  hundred  yards  obliquely  on  our 
left  there  was  a  corn  field,  full  of  Yankees,  well  con- 
cealed. Another  line  had  formed  at  right  angles  to  the 
main  road  and  across  it,  its  right  concealed  in  the  second 
wood,  which  was  beyond  the  small  field  in  front  of  the 
42c!    Regt.    and    the    Irish    battalion.     As    soon    as    we 


ii2  ONE  OF  JACKSON'S  FOOT  CAVALRY 

reached  the  road,  we  saw  a  line  of  Yankees  advancing 
from  the  corn  field,  the  21st  and  48th  opened  fire  on 
them  at  once ;  and  the  battle  of  Cedar  Run  had  com- 
menced in  earnest.  We  caused  the  advancing  line  to 
halt,  and  the  fighting  was  terrific.  The  Second  Brigade 
was  alone  at  this  point,  since  Jackson  had  not  had  time 
to  extend  his  line.  The  Yankees  now  made  an  advance 
with  the  line  that  had  been  concealed,  in  front  of  the 
Irish  battalion  and  the  42d  Regt.  Their  line  being 
longer  than  ours,  they  swung  around  the  Irish  battalion 
in  our  rear,  and  occupied  the  position  from  which  we 
had  advanced  only  a  few  minutes  before.  The  21st  and 
48th  were  fighting  the  force  at  and  near  the  corn  field, 
although  it  had  been  strengthened  by  the  second  line; 
still  we  were  fighting  with  such  effect  that  we  kept  this 
force  back.  A  part  of  the  force,  advancing  against  the 
left  of  the  brigade,  were  firing  directly  into  the  flank  of 
the  48th  and  21st  Regiments,  and  were  making  terrible 
havoc  in  their  ranks.  Col.  Cunningham  of  the  21st, 
who  was  sick,  came  along  the  line,  walking  and  leading 
his  horse,  and  said  to  the  men  as  he  passed  that  the 
enemy  were  in  our  rear  and  he  desired  to  get  us  out  of 
the  position  we  were  in,  and  we  must  follow  him.  His 
voice  was  one  of  loud  compass  and  great  command,  but 
he  could  hardly  speak,  and  as  he  passed  me  he  said, 
"  John,  help  me  get  the  men  out  of  this,  I  can't  talk 
loudly."  I  induced  all  the  men  near  me  to  face  down 
(southward)  the  road,  and  we  started.  After  a  few 
steps,  I  saw  a  Yankee  sergeant  step  into  the  road  about 
fifty  or  seventy-five  yards  ahead  (south)  of  us,  and  at 
the  same  time  heard  the  firing  of  rapidly  approaching 
enemy  in  our  rear.  A  great  dread  filled  me  for  Jack- 
son, because  I  had  seen  him  at  this  spot  only  a  moment 


ONE  OF  JACKSON'S  FOOT  CAVALRY     113 

before.  The  sergeant,  having  his  gun  in  his  left  hand, 
his  drawn  sword  in  his  right,  turned  up  the  road  to- 
wards us,  and  approached.  A  Yankee  private  stepped 
into  the  road  just  ahead  of  him;  this  being  the  road  on 
which  we  marched  to  get  to  our  position,  it  showed  that 
the  enemy  were  not  only  in  our  front,  flank,  and  rear, 
but  actually  had  the  second  brigade  surrounded.  The 
Yankee  sergeant  did  not  stop  his  advance  towards  us 
until  he  actually  took  hold  of  one  of  the  men  of  our 
regiment  and  pulled  him  out  of  ranks,  and  started  to- 
wards the  rear  with  his  prisoner.  One  of  our  men,  who 
was  in  the  act  of  capping  his  gun,  raised  it  to  his 
shoulder,  fired,  and  the  sergeant  fell  dead  not  ten  feet 
away.  By  this  time  the  road  was  full  of  Yankees,  and 
there  was  such  a  fight  as  was  not  witnessed  during  the 
war;  guns,  bayonets,  swords,  pistols,  fence  rails,  rocks, 
etc.,  were  used  all  along  the  line.  I  have  heard  of  a 
"  hell  spot  "  in  some  battles,  this  surely  was  one.  Our 
color  bearer  knocked  down  a  Yankee  with  his  flag  staff, 
and  was  shot  to  death  at  once.  One  of  the  color  guard 
took  the  flag,  and  he  also  was  killed ;  another,  Roswell 
S.  Lindsay  of  F  Company,  bayoneted  a  Yankee,  and  was 
immediately  riddled  with  balls,  three  going  through  him. 
Four  color  bearers  were  killed  with  the  colors  in  their 
hands,  the  fifth  man  flung  the  riddled  flag  to  the  breeze, 
and  went  through  the  terrible  battle  unhurt.  Col.  Cun- 
ningham had  crossed  the  road  leading  his  horse,  pulled 
down  the  fence,  passed  through  the  gap  into  the  field, 
started  to  mount  his  horse,  his  foot  in  the  stirrup,  when 
he  was  struck  by  a  bullet,  and  fell  back  dead,  his  horse 
receiving  his  death  wound  at  the  same  time.  It  was 
a  terrible  time,  the  Second  Brigade  was  overwhelmed, 
nearly  half  of  the  21st  Va.   Regt.  lay  on  the  ground, 


ii4  ONE  OF  JACKSON'S  FOOT  CAVALRY 

dead  and  wounded.  F  Company  of  Richmond  carried 
eighteen  men  into  action,  twelve  of  them  were  lying  on 
the  ground,  six  dead  and  six  wounded,  and  many  of  the 
regiment  were  prisoners.  The  remnant  was  still  fight- 
ing hand  to  hand.  Jackson  hurried  men  to  our  relief, 
the  Stonewall  Brigade  coming  in  on  our  left,  and  the 
Third  Brigade  on  the  right.  They  succeeded  in  sur- 
rounding a  part  of  the  command  who  had  surrounded 
us,  and  took  nearly  all  of  them  prisoners,  including  their 
brigadier  general ;  and  released  those  of  our  men  who 
had  been  captured  in  time  for  them  to  join  the  little 
band  in  the  advance.  Just  at  this  moment  the  enemy 
hurled  a  line  of  cavalry  against  us,  from  the  corn  field, 
but  our  fire  on  them  was  so  hot  that  those  not  un- 
horsed, wheeled,  and  off  to  the  rear  they  went  on  a  run. 
Our  whole  line  now  advanced,  and  the  enemy  were  in 
full  retreat.  We  could  plainly  see  Ewell,  with  a  part 
of* his  division  on  Slaughter  Mountain,  way  off  to  the 
right  of  our  line,  advancing  too;  as  the  mountain  at  this 
point  was  free  of  woods,  we  could  see  his  skirmish  line 
in  front  advancing  down  the  mountain,  his  line  of  battle 
following,  and  his  cannon  belching  forth  fire  and  smoke, 
and  we  could  see  the  enemy's  shell  bursting  on  the  moun- 
tain side.     It  was  a  magnificent  and  inspiring  sight. 

We  kept  up  the  pursuit  until  9  or  10  o'clock  at  night, 
when  we  halted,  and  were  allowed  to  rest  for  the  night. 

The  battle  was  fought  and  won,  the  21st  Va.  Regt. 
had  written  its  name  high  on  the  scroll  of  honor,  but 
at  what  cost.  They  went  into  battle  with  two  hundred 
and  eighty-four  men ;  thirty-nine  of  them  lay  dead  on 
the  field,  and  ninety-two  were  wounded.  Old  F  Com- 
pany of  Richmond  lost  Capt.  Morgan,  shot  through  the 
body  by  a  piece  of  shell.     He  was  a  splendid  soldier, 


ONE  OF  JACKSON'S  FOOT  CAVALRY  115 

and  the  best  informed  man  on  military  matters  that  I 
knew  during  the  war.  Henry  Anderson,  Joe  Nun- 
nally,  John  Powell,  William  Pollard,  and  Roswell  Lind- 
say were  killed,  Bob  Gilliam  was  shot  through  the  leg, 
Clarence  Redd  through  both  wrists,  Ned  Tompkins 
through  one  arm  and  in  the  body,  Porter  Wren  in  the 
arm,  Harrison  Watkins  through  the  body,  and  Clarence 
Taylor  through  the  hip. 

Nearly  half  of  Jackson's  loss  in  this  battle  was  in  the 
Second  Brigade.  Amongst  the  killed  were  Brig.  Gen. 
Charles  Winder  of  the  Stonewall  Brigade,  who  com- 
manded the  division,  and  Lieut.  Col.  Richard  H.  Cun- 
ningham (an  old  F)3  who  commanded  the  21st  Va. 
Regt.,  two  as  gallant  men  as  the  cause  ever  lost,  a  great 
loss  to  our  command  and  the  army.  Both  were  con- 
spicuous on  every  battlefield  for  brave  deeds,  and  they 
gave  promise  of  being  great  soldiers.  I  have  always 
thought  there  was  a  similarity  in  their  deaths.  Both 
were  on  the  sick  list,  each  had  been  riding  in  an  ambu- 
lance during  the  day,  but,  at  the  sound  of  the  guns,  each 
mounted  his  horse,  came  to  the  front,  and  took  com- 
mand of  his  men.  Winder  was  posting  his  advance 
artillery  in  the  open  field  just  to  our  right  when  he  was 
killed,  and  Cunningham  was  killed  a  few  minutes  later 
near  the  same  place.  I  also  think  if  they  had  lived  each 
would  have  been  promoted,  Winder  to  be  a  major  gen- 
eral, and  Cunningham  to  be  a  brigadier  general,  both 
commissions  dating  from  this  battle. 

Here  is  what  Major  Dabney,  on  Jackson's  staff,  says 
in  his  life  of  Stonewall  Jackson.  After  describing  the 
position  of  the  brigades  that  were  already  in  line  of 
battle  to  our  right,  he  comes  to  that  occupied  by  the 
Second  Brigade  and  says : 


n6  ONE  OF  JACKSON'S  FOOT  CAVALRY 

"  The  whole  angle  of  forest  was  now  filled  with 
clamor  and  horrid  rout.  The  left  regiments  of  the 
Second  Brigade  were  taken  in  reverse,  intermingled  with 
the  enemy,  broken  and  massacred  from  front  to  rear. 
The  regiments  of  the  right  and  especially  the  21st  Vir- 
ginia, commanded  by  that  brave  Christian  soldier, 
Colonel  Cunningham,  stood  firm,  and  fought  the  enemy 
before  them  like  lions,  until  the  invading  line  had  pene- 
trated within  twenty  yards  of  their  rear,  for  the  terrific 
din  of  the  musketry,  the  smoke,  and  the  dense  foliage 
concealed  friend  from  foe,  until  they  were  separated 
from  each  other  by  this  narrow  interval.  Their  heroic 
colonel  was  slain,  the  orders  of  officers  was  unheard 
amidst  the  shouts  of  the  assailants,  and  all  the  vast  up- 
roar; yet  the  remnant  of  the  Second  Brigade  fought  on, 
man  to  man,  without  rank  or  method,  with  bayonet 
thrust  and  musket  clubbed,  but  borne  back  like  the  angry 
foam  on  a  mighty  wave,  towards  the  high  road." 

Lt.  Col.  Garnett,  commanding  the  Second  Brigade, 
gives  the  21st  Virginia  special  mention  in  his  report  of 
this  battle.  Likewise  does  Brig.  Gen.  Taliaferro  of  the 
Third  Brigade.  Brig.  Gen.  Early  of  Ewell's  division 
says  in  his  report  that  his  attention  was  directed,  espe- 
cially in  the  general  advance,  towards  a  small  band  of 
the  21st  Virginia  with  their  colors;  as  every  few  min- 
utes the  color  bearer  would  shake  out  his  colors,  seem- 
ingly in  defiance  to  the  enemy. 

We  remained  on  the  battlefield  all  the  next  day.  gath- 
ering the  wounded  and  burying  the  dead.  Gen.  Jackson 
was  joined  during  the  day  by  Gen.  J.  E.  B.  Stuart,  whom 
he  ordered  to  take  command  of  a  reconnoitering  expe- 
dition. On  Stuart's  return,  he  reported  to  Jackson  that 
Pope    had    been    heavily    reinforced.     In    consequence, 


THIRD  CAPTAIN  WILLIAM  H.  MORGAN 


Opposite  page  116. 


ONE  OF  JACKSON'S  FOOT  CAVALRY  117. 

Jackson  would  not  renew  the  advance,  and  Pope,  being 
so  much  surprised  at  seeing  the  front  of  a  rebel,  had  not 
recovered  sufficiently  to  attack  Jackson. 

About  midday,  Pope  asked  permission  of  Gen.  Jack- 
son to  succor  such  of  his  wounded  as  had  not  already 
been  treated  by  us,  and  to  bury  his  dead ;  this  Gen. 
Jackson  granted,  and  put  the  field  of  battle  under  the 
command  of  Brig.  Gen.  Early.  Soon  the  Yank  and 
Confederate  were  engaged  in  friendly  converse,  trading 
papers,  tobacco,  etc. 

When  night  came  on,  Gen.  Jackson  thought  it  best  to 
fall  back  behind  the  Rapidan,  and  we  crossed  that  stream 
the  next  day,  and  went  into  camp  between  that  river  and 
Gordonsville.  While  we  were  there,  Stark's  Louisiana 
Brigade  was  added  to  Jackson's  division ;  the  division 
consisting  of  the  First  (Stonewall),  Second,  Third, 
Fourth,  or  Louisiana,  brigades.  We  remained  in  this 
camp  until  August  16th,  when  we  marched  a  few  miles, 
and  prepared  for  another  advance  against  Pope. 


XIV 

SECOND    MANASSAS 

Longstreet  having  joined  Jackson  and  Gen.  Lee 
having  completed  his  plans,  the  army  broke  camp  on 
August  20th  and  marched  in  the  direction  of  Pope's 
army.  Jackson  crossed  the  Rapidan  river  at  Summer- 
ville  Ford.  Pope  had  retreated  behind  the  Rappahan- 
nock river,  and  we  made  that  river  our  objective  point. 
After  trying  several  fords  with  the  seeming  intention  of 
crossing,  the  morning  of  the  25th  found  us  near  the  vil- 
lage of  Jeffersonton  in  Culpeper  county.  Here  we  re- 
ceived orders  to  cook  three  days'  rations,  and  be  ready 
to  move  as  soon  as  possible.  Soon  afterwards,  orders 
were  given  to  fall  in ;  but  many  of  the  men  had  not  pre- 
pared their  rations  for  want  of  time, —  the  half  baked 
biscuit  and  the  raw  dough  were  left.  This  for  many 
was  nothing  to  eat  for  some  time,  probably  days !  The 
wagon  train  having  remained  behind,  and  everything 
being  in  light  marching  trim,  indicated  that  something 
of  importance  was  on  hand. 

As  soon  as  the  column  was  formed,  we  were  hurried 
off  on  the  march,  passing  through  the  village  of  Amiss- 
ville,  and  crossing  the  Rappahannock  at  Hinson's  mill ; 
thence  several  miles  right  through  the  country,  through 
fields,  over  ditches  and  fences,  through  woods  until  we 
came  to  a  public  road.  This  we  took,  passing  the  vil- 
lage of  Orleans  and  marching  steadily  until  we  passed 
Salem,  about  8  or  9  o'clock  at  night.  Here  we  halted 
in  the  road,  stacked  arms,  and  were  told  we  could  lie 

118 


ONE  OF  JACKSON'S  FOOT  CAVALRY  119 

down  and  rest,  having  marched  about  twenty-six  miles. 
Early  the  next  morning  we  were  up  and  on  the  march 
again,  passing  through  Bull  Run  Mountain  at  Thorough- 
fare Gap,  thence  through  Hay  Market  and  Gainsville, 
not  stopping  until  ten  or  eleven  o'clock  at  night ;  march- 
ing about  the  same  distance  as  the  day  before,  and  again 
stopping  in  the  road.  Many  of  the  men  lay  down  right 
where  they  stopped  in  the  road,  being  so  completely 
used  up  from  the  march  and  heat  as  not  to  have  energy 
to  move  to  one  side.  We  were  near  Bristow  Station, 
and  not  far  from  Manassas  Junction,  and  far  in  Pope's 
rear,  "  the  man  that  had  no  rear."  (?)  Gen.  Jackson  now 
sent  a  force  ahead  to  capture  Manassas,  which  was  done 
during  the  night  with  small  loss  to  us.  Immense  quan- 
tities of  stores  were  captured  with  several  trains  of  rail- 
road cars,  eight  pieces  of  artillery  with  caissons  and 
horses,  etc.,  complete,  a  number  of  wagons,  several  hun- 
dred prisoners,  and  several  hundred  negroes,  who  had 
been  persuaded  to  run  away  from  their  owners.  Early 
the  next  morning  Ewell's  division  marched  in  the  direc- 
tion of  Bristow,  the  remainder  of  the  corps  to  Manassas 
Junction,  which  place  our  division  reached  about  7  or  8 
o'clock  in  the  morning.  The  Second  Brigade  was  filed 
by  regiments  to  the  right  of  the  road,  in  an  open  field 
and  near  the  storehouses,  where  arms  were  stacked,  and 
we  were  ordered  to  rest  and  remain  near  our  guns. 

Not  long  after  this  it  was  rumored  that  a  force  from 
Washington  was  approaching  to  drive  us  away.  A.  P. 
Hill's  division  was  sent  forward  to  meet  them,  and  soon 
put  them  to  rout.  They  consisted  of  a  brigade  of  in- 
fantry with  some  artillery,  sent  down  to  brush  away  a 
small  raiding  force,  as  they  supposed  us  to  be. 

A  scene  around  the  storehouses  was  now  witnessed, 


120  ONE  OF  JACKSON'S  FOOT  CAVALRY 

but  cannot  be  described.  Were  you,  when  a  boy,  on 
some  special  occasion  allowed  to  eat  as  much  of  every- 
thing you  wanted?  Were  you  ever  a  soldier,  who  had 
eaten  nothing  but  roasting  ears  for  two  days?  Well, 
if  you  have  ever  been  either,  you  may  probably  have 
some  conception  of  what  followed.  Only  those  who  par- 
ticipated can  ever  appreciate  it.  Remember,  that  many 
of  those  men  were  hurried  off  on  the  march  on  the 
morning  of  the  25th  with  nothing  to  eat,  that  it  was  now 
the  27th,  and  we  had  marched  in  this  time  about  sixty 
miles.  The  men  who  had  prepared  their  rations  did 
not  have  enough  for  two  days,  much  less  for  three,  and, 
after  dividing  with  such  comrades  as  had  none,  every- 
thing had  long  been  eaten.  Now  here  are  vast  store- 
houses filled  with  everything  to  eat,  and  sutler's  stores 
filled  with  all  the  delicacies,  potted  ham,  lobster,  tongue, 
candy,  cakes,  nuts,  oranges,  lemons,  pickles,  catsup,  mus-' 
tard,  etc.  It  makes  an  old  soldier's  mouth  water  now, 
to  think  of  the  good  things  captured  there.  A  guard 
was  placed  over  everything  in  the  early  part  of  the  day, 
rations  were  issued  to  the  men,  but  not  by  weight  and 
measure  to  each  man.  A  package  or  two  of  each  article 
was  given  to  each  company.  These  are  some  of  the 
articles  issued  to  F  Company.  The  first  thing  brought 
us  was  a  barrel  of  cakes,  next,  a  bag  of  hams.  We  se- 
cured a  camp  kettle,  made  a  fire,  and  put  a  ham  on  to 
boil;  and  we  had  hardly  gotten  it  underway  before  a 
barrel  of  sugar  and  coffee,  the  Yanks  had  it  mixed,  and 
a  bag  of  beans  were  sent  us.  After  a  consultation,  we 
decided  to  empty  the  ham  out  of  the  kettle,  as  we  could 
take  that  along  raw,  and  in  its  place  put  the  beans  on 
the  fire,  as  they  were  something  we  were  fond  of  and 
had  not  had  for  a  long  time.     About  the  time  they  com- 


ONE  OF  JACKSON'S  FOOT  CAVALRY     121 

menced  to  get  warm,  a  bag  of  potatoes  was  brought  us ; 
—  over  the  kettle  goes,  and  the  potatoes  take  the  place 
of  the  beans.  We  now  think  our  kettle  is  all  right,  as 
potatoes  cook  in  a  short  time,  but  here  comes  a  package 
of  desiccated  vegetables,  and  the  kettle  is  again  emptied, 
and  the  vegetables  are  placed  on  the  fire,  as  soup  is  so 
good.  We  were  also  given  a  barrel  of  syrup.  This 
was  a  liberal  and  varied  bill  of  fare  for  our  company, 
which  was  small  then. 

Gen.  Jackson's  idea  was  that  he  could  care  for  the 
stores  until  Gen.  Lee  came  up,  and  turn  the  remainder 
over  to  him,  hence  he  placed  the  guard  over  them.  The 
enemy  began  to  make  such  demonstrations  that  he  de- 
cided he  could  not  hold  the  place,  therefore  the  houses 
were  thrown  open,  and  every  man  was  told  to  help  him- 
self. Our  kettle  of  soup  was  left  to  take  care  of  itself. 
Men  who  were  starving  a  few  hours  before,  and  did  not 
know  when  they  would  get  another  mouthful,  were  told 
to  help  themselves.  Well,  what  do  you  think  they  did? 
Begin  to  eat.  Oh,  no.  They  discussed  what  they 
should  eat,  and  what  they  should  take  with  them,  as 
orders  were  issued  for  us  to  take  four  days'  rations 
with  us.  It  was  hard  to  decide  what  to  take,  some  filled 
their  haversacks  with  cakes,  some  with  candy,  others 
oranges,  lemons,  canned  goods,  etc.  I  know  one  who 
took  nothing  but  French  mustard,  filled  his  haversack 
and  was  so  greedy  that  he  put  one  more  bottle  in  his 
pocket.  This  was  his  four  days'  rations,  and  it  turned 
out  to  be  the  best  thing  taken,  because  he  traded  it  for 
meat  and  bread,  and  it  lasted  him  until  we  reached 
Frederick  City.  All  good  times  have  an  end,  and,  as 
night  approached,  preparations  were  made  to  burn  every- 
thing that  we  could  not  carry;  and  not  long  after  sunset 


122  ONE  OF  JACKSON'S  FOOT  CAVALRY 

the  stores  were  set  on  fire.  Our  division,  taking  up  our 
march  as  soon  as  the  fires  got  well  under  way,  marched 
several  hours,  when  our  brigade  was  ordered  to  a  road 
on  our  left  for  picket  duty.  At  daybreak  we  found 
ourselves  on  the  Warrenton  and  Alexander  pike  near 
Groveton. 

There  was  only  one  field  officer  in  our  brigade  at  this 
time,  and  Gen.  Jackson  had  assigned  Col.  Bradley  T. 
Johnson  temporarily  to  command  it.  The  Irish  bat- 
talion was  commanded  by  a  major,  the  48th  Va.  Regt. 
by  a  lieutenant,  the  42d  by  a  captain,  and  the  21st  by  a 
captain.  The  Second  Brigade  remained  about  Groveton 
until  late  in  the  evening.  Col.  Johnson  had  orders  to 
make  demonstrations  and  the  biggest  show  he  could,  so 
as  to  delay  the  enemy  as  long  as  possible  from  any  ad- 
vance in  this  direction ;  and  well  did  he  do  it.  At  one 
time  he  had  one  regiment  on  top  of  a  hill,  with  its  colors 
under  the  next  hill,  just  high  enough  to  show  over  its 
top;  a  regiment  with  its  colors  on  the  next  hill,  etc., 
thus  making  the  appearance  of  a  long  line  of  battle. 
We  had  two  pieces  of  artillery,  and  as  one  body  of  the 
enemy  was  seen,  one  or  both  pieces  of  artillery  were 
brought  into  view,  and  when  the  enemy  moved,  the  can- 
nons were  limbered  up  and  moved  also  to  some  far  hill, 
and  the  movement  was  repeated. 

Early  in  the  morning,  while  the  21st  Va.  Regt.  was  on 
one  of  these  hills  lying  down  in  line,  the  enemy  ran  a 
cannon  out  on  a  hill,  unlimbered,  and  fired  a  shot  at  us, 
hitting  one  of  the  men  of  Company  K,  tearing  the  heel 
of  his  shoe  off,  but  not  injuring  him.  This  was  the  first 
cannon  shot  from  either  side  at  Second  Manassas,  and 
the  only  one  fired  at  that  time,  as  the  piece  limbered  up 
and  withdrew  in  a  trot.     When  the  21st  regiment  soon 


ONE  OF  JACKSON'S  FOOT  CAVALRY  123 

afterwards  was  deployed  as  skirmishers,  and  stationed 
across  the  Warrenton  pike,  a  Yankee  artilleryman  rode 
into  our  line,  thinking-  it  was  his.  He  was  the  first 
prisoner  taken. 

The  inmates  of  the  Groveton  house  now  abandoned 
it, —  a  lady,  bareheaded,  and  her  servant  woman,  run- 
ning out  of  the  front  door,  having  a  little  girl  between 
them,  each  holding  her  by  one  of  her  hands,  the  child 
crying  loudly.  They  crossed  the  pike,  climbed  over  the 
fence,  and  went  directly  south  through  the  fields,  and 
were  soon  lost  to  sight.  In  their  excitement  they  did 
not  even  close  the  door  to  their  deserted  home. 

The  Yankee  wagon  train  was  seen  on  a  road  south  of 
us,  on  its  way  to  Washington;  the  two  pieces  of  artillery 
were  run  out  and  commenced  to  fire  at  them,  causing  a 
big  stampede.  It  was  now  about  eleven  or  twelve 
o'clock,  and  we  retired  to  a  wood  north  of  the  pike, 
formed  the  brigade  into  line  of  battle,  stacked  arms,  and 
lay  down  in  position. 

None  of  the  men  had  seen  or  heard  anything  of  the 
remainder  of  our  corps,  and  we  had  no  idea  as  to  where 
they  were,  and  it  was  singular  that  "  Old  Jack  "  had  not 
made  his  accustomed  appearance  along  the  front,  the 
artillery  fire  not  even  bringing  him.  The  men  were 
much  puzzled  and  mystified  by  this.  Col.  Johnson  sent 
to  the  2 1st  Va.  Regt.  for  a  lieutenant  and  six  men  to  re- 
port with  arms,  etc.,  at  once  to  him;  one  of  the  men 
from  F  Company,  the  writer,  was  designated  by  name. 
On  reporting,  they  were  ordered  to  drive  a  squad  of 
Yankees  away  from  a  house  in  sight.  This  they  did  in 
quick  order,  although  they  had  to  cross  an  open  field 
and  get  over  three  fences  before  reaching  the  house. 
We  remained  at  the  house  a  while,  and  seeing  that  we 


i24  ONE  OF  JACKSON'S  FOOT  CAVALRY 

were  about  to  be  cut  off,  we  retired  to  the  brigade  with- 
out loss.  This  was  the  first  musket  fire  of  Second  Man- 
assas, and  it  may  be  said  that  the  battle  had  commenced, 
the  enemy  being  seen  in  several  directions  towards  our 
front.  The  officer  returning  to  Col.  Johnson  made  his 
report,  when  the  colonel  retained  the  "  F  "  man.  the 
writer,  and  ordered  him  to  go  out  to  the  front  as  far 
as  possible  without  being  seen  by  the  enemy,  and  keep 
a  lookout,  reporting  to  him  any  body  of  the  enemy  seen 
approaching,  and,  in  order  to  get  along  the  better,  to 
leave  his  arms.  I  crept  to  the  front  until  I  reached  a 
bush  on  top  of  a  slight  elevation,  where  I  lay  down  for 
several  hours,  observing  the  movements  of  several  small 
bodies  of  the  enemy,  mostly  cavalry.  While  I  was 
lying  down  behind  the  bush,  an  incident  occurred  that 
has  always  puzzled  me.  I  heard  the  quick  step  of  a 
horse  to  my  right  and  rear,  and  looking  around  I  saw 
a  horseman  in  full  gallop,  coming  from  the  north  and 
going  along  a  small  country  road  that  joined  the  War- 
renton  pike  at  Groveton  house.  Arriving  at  the  gap  in 
the  fence  along  the  road,  he  wheeled  his  horse  and  rode 
directly  towards  me  as  I  lay  down  in  the  field;  and  it 
was  done  in  such  a  deliberate  way  as  to  impress  the 
vidette  that  his  presence  was  known  before  the  horse- 
man came  along  the  road.  He  did  not  draw  rein  until 
he  was  almost  on  the  vidette,  when  he  asked  if  the 
vidette  knew  where  Gen.  Jackson  was.  Receiving  a 
negative  reply,  he  wheeled  his  horse  and  rode  back  to 
the  gap,  turned  into  the  road,  and  was  off  at  full  gallop 
towards  Groveton  house.  This  man  was  riding  a  black 
mare,  and  wore  a  long  linen  duster  and  dark  pants ; 
there  was  something  so  suspicious  about  his  movements 
and   dress,    that  the  vidette  would   have   taken  him  to 


ONE  OF  JACKSON'S  FOOT  CAVALRY  125 

Col.  Johnson  if  he  had  had  his  gun.  There  was  a  squad 
of  Yankees  at  the  Groveton  house,  and  when  the  rider 
reached  it,  several  of  them  ran  from  the  front  of  the 
house  and  surrounded  him.  Tie  dismounted  and  went 
with  them  to  the  front  of  the  house  while  one  of  their 
number  led  the  horse  into  the  back  yard  and  tied  him. 
This  was  hardly  done  before  a  body  of  our  cavalry 
charged  up  the  Warrenton  pike,  and  captured  the  party. 
The  vidette  had  seen  that  detachment  coming  along  the 
road  a  few  minutes  before,  and  could  have  warned  the 
man  riding  the  horse  of  the  Yankees'  presence,  but  a 
distrust  came  over  him  as  soon  as  I  saw  him. 

About  4  o'clock  in  the  afternoon  the  vidette  was 
startled  by  a  long  line  of  skirmishers  stepping  out  of  the 
wood  in  his  front  and  advancing.  Jumping  to  my  feet, 
I  started  towards  Col.  Johnson  and  having  gone  only  a 
short  distance,  I  saw  their  line  of  battle  following.  Now 
that  fellow  just  "  dusted  "  made  his  report  to  Col.  John- 
son, who  called  the  line  to  attention,  and  gave  the  com- 
mand, "  Right  face !  double  quick  !  march !  "  and  away  we 
went  northward  through  the  woods.  All  of  us  wTere 
wondering  what  had  become  of  Jackson,  but  when  we 
were  through  the  woods,  the  first  man  we  saw  was  "  Old 
Jack,"  and  looking  beyond,  we  could  see  that  his  com- 
mand was  massed  in  a  large  field,  arms  stacked,  batteries 
parked,  and  everything  resting.  Col.  Johnson  rode  up 
to  him  and  made  his  report.  Gen.  Jackson  turned  at 
once  to  his  staff,  gave  each  an  order,  and,  in  a  minute, 
the  field  was  in  a  perfect  hubbub, —  men  riding  in  all 
directions,  infantry  rushing  to  arms,  cannoneers  to  their 
guns  and  the  drivers  mounting.  We  saw  the  master 
hand  now.  In  the  time  I  am  taking  to  tell  this,  one 
heard  the  sharp  command  of  an  officer,   "  Right  face, 


126  ONE  OF  JACKSON'S  FOOT  CAVALRY 

forward  march,"  and  saw  a  body  of  skirmishers  march 
out  of  that  confused  mass  right  up  to  "  Old  Jack," 
where  the  officer  gave  the  command,  "  File  right,"  and 
the  next  instant  the  command  to  deploy.  The  move- 
ment was  done  in  the  twinkling  of  an  eye.  Forward 
they  went  to  meet  the  enemy.  Gen.  Jackson  had  waited 
to  see  this;  he  now  turned  to  Col.  Johnson  and  told  him 
to  let  his  men  stack  arms  and  rest,  as  they  had  been  on 
duty  since  the  day  before;  he  would  not  call  on  them  if 
he  could  avoid  it ;  and  off  he  went  with  the  advance  skir- 
mishers. Another  body  of  them  had,  in  the  meantime, 
marched  out  and  filed  to  the  left,  and  gone  forward. 
A  column  of  infantry  unwound  itself  out  of  that  mass, 
marched  up  to  the  point  where  the  skirmishers  had  been 
filed  to  the  right,  fronted,  and  went  forward.  Another 
was  now  filing  to  the  left,  while  the  third  column  moved 
straight  ahead,  a  part  of  the  artillery  following  each 
column  of  infantry.  This  was  the  most  perfect  move- 
ment of  troops  I  saw  during  the  war.  The  crack  of 
muskets  and  the  bang  of  artillery  told  us  that  the  lines 
had  met,  and  the  fire  in  a  few  minutes  was  terrific.  An 
officer  soon  came,  however,  ordering  the  Second  Brigade 
to  report  on  the  extreme  left  of  Jackson's  line,  where 
the  whole  brigade  was  formed  as  skirmishers,  ordered 
forward  and,  after  going  a  certain  distance,  halted,  and 
ordered  to  lie  down.  We  stayed  there  all  night,  sleeping 
on  our  arms.  The  enemy  did  not  appear  in  our  front; 
but  our  right  had  a  hard  fight,  in  which  the  enemy  were 
defeated,  retreating  during  the  night.  Brig.  Gen.  Talia- 
ferro, commanding  Jackson's  division,  and  Maj.  Gen. 
Ewell  were  amongst  our  wounded. 

The  next  morning,  August  29th,  the  Second  Brigade 
marched  to  the  right  of  Jackson's  line,  on  top  of  a  large 


ONE  OF  JACKSON'S  FOOT  CAVALRY     127 

hill,  where  there  were  several  pieces  of  artillery.  We 
stayed  there  about  an  hour,  and  were  shelled  severely  by 
the  enemy,  who  had  made  their  appearance  from  another 
direction  than  that  of  the  evening  before. 

Jackson  now  took  position  behind  an  unfinished  rail- 
road, which  ran  parallel  to  and  north  of  the  Warrenton 
pike,  and,  I  suppose,  about  a  mile  from  it.  Jackson's 
division  was  on  the  right,  Ewell's  next,  and  A.  P.  Hill's 
on  the  left.  The  Second  Brigade  marched  from  the 
hill  to  the  left  about  half  a  mile,  where  we  joined  our 
division  and  formed  two  lines  of  battle,  in  a  wood  and 
near  its  edge,  facing  south.  In  our  front  there  was  a 
narrow  neck  of  open  land,  about  three  hundred  yards 
wide;  on  the  west,  the  wood  ran  along  this  field  about 
three  hundred  yards  to  a  point  where  the  field  joined  a 
larger  field.  A  short  distance  around  the  angle  of  the 
wood  was  the  hill  which  we  occupied  early  in  the  morn- 
ing, and  Jackson  had  now  several  batteries  of  artillery 
on  it.  On  the  east,  the  woods  ran  along  the  field  for 
six  hundred  yards  to  a  point  where  the  field  joined  a 
large  field ;  this  large  field  ran  east  and  west  and  at  its 
far  side  the  Warrenton  pike  ran.  About  two  hundred 
yards  in  our  front  was  a  part  of  the  abandoned  railroad, 
running  across  the  open  neck  from  the  wood  on  the  east 
to  near  that  of  the  west.  The  eastern  end  of  the  road 
was  in  a  valley,  where  there  was  a  fill  for  about  one  hun- 
dred yards,  extending  to  a  hill  through  which  a  cut  ran 
out  on  the  level  ground  just  before  it  reached  the  west 
wood.  The  reader  will  notice  now  that  in  front  of  the 
railroad  there  was  a  short  strip  of  wood  on  the  west 
side  and  a  long  strip  on  the  east.  Our  skirmishers  were 
stationed  at  the  railroad ;  we  were  ordered  to  lie  down 
in  line,  guns  in  hand,  and  directed  to  rush  for  the  rail- 


128  ONE  OF  JACKSON'S  FOOT  CAVALRY 

road  as  soon  as  an  order  to  forward  should  be  given. 

Col.  Johnson  came  along-  the  line,  stopped  about  ten 
yards  in  front  of  F  Company,  took  out  his  pipe,  filled  it 
and  lighted  it,  and  quietly  sat  on  the  ground,  leaning 
against  a  small  sapling. 

Everything  was  perfectly  quiet,  but  this  did  not  last 
long.  The  stillness  in  our  front  was  broken  by  a  shot, 
and  almost  in  the  same  instant  a  shell  went  crashing 
through  the  trees  overhead.  This  was  the  signal  for  a 
severe  shelling  of  our  woods;  a  man  was  wounded. 
Col.  Johnson  immediately  arose,  went  to  him,  sent  him 
to  the  rear,  and  stopped  long  enough  to  talk  to  the  men 
around  him,  and  quiet  their  uneasiness.  He  came  back 
and  resumed  his  seat.  This  was  repeated  several  times. 
The  enemy  now  advanced  and  engaged  our  skirmishers 
at  the  railroad,  some  of  the  balls  aimed  at  them  occa- 
sionally reached  our  line,  and  wounded  some  of  the  men. 
Col.  Johnson  invited  several  of  the  men  who  were  be- 
coming uneasy  to  come  and  sit  by  him,  and  he  had  about 
a  dozen  around  him,  talking  and  laughing.  Our  skir- 
mishers were  now  being  driven  from  the  railroad,  and 
soon  they  retired  to  the  line  of  battle.  The  enemy  were 
now  some  distance  north  of  the  railroad  in  our  front. 
The  brigade  being  called  to  attention,  instantly  was  on 
its  feet,  and  when  the  order  was  given  to  forward,  it 
rushed  to  the  front.  Reaching  the  field,  we  emptied 
our  guns  into  the  enemy,  and  charged  them  with  empty 
guns.  They  turned  and  ran,  leaving  many  dead  and 
wounded  on  our  side  of  the  railroad.  Approaching 
these  men,  lying  on  the  ground  about  one  hundred  yards 
from  us,  I  noticed  one  of  them  on  his  back,  gesticulating 
with  his  hands,  raising  them  up,  moving  them  violently 
backward  and  forward.     I  thought  he  was  trying  to  at- 


ONE  OF  JACKSON'S  FOOT  CAVALRY     129 

tract  our  attention,  so  that  we  might  not  injure  him  in 
our  advance.  When  I  reached  him,  I  recognized  by 
his  shoulder  straps  that  he  was  a  Yankee  captain,  and 
one  of  our  captains,  who  was  running  on  my  left,  said 
he  was  making  the  masonic  sign  of  distress.  Arriving 
at  the  railroad,  the  21st  Va.  Regt.  occupied  the  bank, 
and  the  remainder  of  the  Second  Brigade  occupied  the 
cut  on  our  right.  We  loaded  and  fired  at  the  retreating 
enemy,  and  soon  cleared  the  field. 

Expecting  a  renewal  of  the  attack  by  the  enemy,  we 
remained  at  the  railroad,  and,  after  a  short  halt,  the  an- 
nouncement "  Here  they  come!  "  was  heard.  A  line  of 
battle  marched  out  of  the  far  end  of  the  east  wood  into 
the  field,  halted,  dressed  the  line,  and  moved  forward. 
They  were  allowed  to  come  within  about  one  hundred 
yards  of  us,  when  we  opened  fire.  We  could  see  them 
stagger,  halt,  stand  a  short  time,  break,  and  run.  At 
this  time,  another  line  made  its  appearance,  coming  from 
the  same  point.  It  came  a  little  nearer.  They,  too, 
broke  and  ran.  Still  another  line  came  nearer, 
broke  and  ran.  The  whole  field  seemed  to  be  full  of 
Yankees  and  some  of  them  advanced  nearly  to  the  rail- 
road. We  went  over  the  bank  at  them,  the  remainder 
of  the  brigade  following  our  example.  The  enemy  now 
broke  and  ran,  and  we  pursued,  firing  as  fast  as  we 
could.  We  followed  them  into  the  woods,  and  drove 
them  out  on  the  other  side,  where  we  halted  and  were 
ordered  back  to  the  railroad.  We  captured  two  pieces 
of  artillery  in  the  woods,  and  carried  them  back  with 
us.  As  we  returned  a  Yankee  battery  of  eight  guns  had 
full  play  on  us  in  the  field,  and  our  line  became  a  little 
confused ;  we  halted,  every  man  instantly  turned  and 
faced  the  battery.     As  we  did  so,  I  heard  a  thud  on  my 


130  ONE  OF  JACKSON'S  FOOT  CAVALRY 

right,  as  if  one  had  been  struck  with  a  heavy  fist.  Look- 
ing around  I  saw  a  man  at  my  side  standing  erect,  with 
his  head  off,  a  stream  of  blood  spurting  a  foot  or  more 
from  his  neck.  As  I  turned  farther  around,  I  saw  three 
others  lying  on  the  ground,  all  killed  by  this  cannon 
shot.  The  man  standing  was  a  captain  in  the  43d  Va. 
Regt,  and  his  brains  and  blood  bespattered  the  face  and 
clothing  of  one  of  my  company,  who  was  standing  in 
my  rear.  This  was  the  second  time  I  saw  four  men 
killed  by  one  shot.  The  other  occurred  in  the  battle 
of  Cedar  Run,  a  few  weeks  earlier.  Each  time  the  shot 
struck  as  it  was  descending, —  the  first  man  had  his  head 
taken  off,  the  next  was  shot  through  the  breast,  the  next 
through  the  stomach,  and  the  fourth  had  all  his  bowels 
torn  out. 

We  went  back  to  our  position  in  the  woods,  formed 
our  old  line  of  battle  in  two  lines,  and  lay  down  as  before. 
Immediately  our  attention  was  called  to  a  line  of  battle 
filing  into  position  in  our  front,  but  nearly  at  right  angles 
to  us.  What  did  this  mean?  Were  the  enemy  making 
preparations  to  storm  us  again?  General  Starke,  our 
division  commander,  arrived,  his  attention  was  called  to 
the  line,  he  used  his  glass,  and,  after  a  careful  survey, 
called  a  courier,  and  directed  him  to  go  to  the  right 
around  the  hill  in  our  front,  and  find  out  who  they  were. 
The  Yankees  were  shelling  our  woods  heavily,  but  the 
excitement  was  so  great  that  the  men,  who  had  orders 
to  lie  down  for  protection,  were  all  standing  up  watching 
the  line  form,  which  grew  longer  each  moment.  Our 
courier,  after  a  short  stay,  was  seen  coining  as  fast  as 
his  horse  could  run,  and  before  he  reached  General 
Starke,  cried  out,  "  It  is  Longstreet!  "    A  great  cry  that 


ONE  OF  JACKSON'S  FOOT  CAVALRY  131 

Longstreet  had  come  was  taken  up  by  the  men  all  down 
the  line.  The  courier  now  told  General  Starke  that  the 
man  sitting  on  a  stump,  whom  we  had  noticed  before, 
was  General  Lee ;  and  that  Longstreet  said  he  had  gotten 
up  in  time  to  witness  our  charge,  which,  he  said,  was 
splendid ! 

This  put  new  life  into  Jackson's  men,  who  had  heard 
nothing  of  Longstreet.  They  knew  that  if  Pope  with 
his  large  army  would  put  forth  energy,  he  could  greatly 
damage  us ;  but  every  thought  was  changed  now.  We 
only  wished  for  a  renewal  of  the  attack,  but  were  afraid 
he  would  not  attack  us  after  his  repulse  on  the  morning 
and  the  presence  of  Longstreet!  He  did  attack  A.  P. 
Hill's  division  on  the  left,  and  met  with  the  same  kind 
of  repulse  that  we  had  given  him.  A  part  of  Long- 
street's  command  became  heavily  engaged  also.  This 
ended  the  second  day's  fighting',  and  the  Second  Brigade 
was  jubilant  over  its  share  of  Second  Manassas  so  far. 

The  cannonading  commenced  early  on  the  morning  of 
the  30th  with  skirmishing  in  front  that  at  times  became 
active.  About  noon,  expecting  an  attack,  the  Second 
Brigade  moved  to  the  railroad,  taking  position  as  on 
the  clay  before.  About  2  or  3  o'clock  we  heard  on  our 
right,  the  sound  of  "  Here  they  come!  "  and  almost  in- 
stantly we  saw  a  column  of  the  enemy  march  into  the 
field  from  the  point  at  which  they  appeared  the  day  be- 
fore, dressing  the  line  and  advancing  on  us.  Every  man 
in  our  line  shifted  his  cartridge  box  to  the  front,  un- 
strapped it  and  his  cap  box,  gave  his  gun  a  second  look, 
and  took  his  position  to  meet  the  coming  enemy,  who 
were  rapidly  approaching.  We  allowed  them  to  come 
about  the  same  distance  as  on  the  clay  before,  and  then 


132  ONE  OF  JACKSON'S  FOOT  CAVALRY 

opened  fire,  with  about  the  same  result.  Other  lines  ad- 
vanced, each  getting  nearer  us ;  the  field  was  filled  with 
Yanks  as  on  the  day  before,  but  in  much  greater  num- 
bers, and  their  advance  continued.  Every  man  in  the 
Second  Brigade  at  this  moment  remembered  Cedar  Run, 
each  one  loaded  his  gun  with  care,  raised  it  deliberately 
to  his  shoulder,  took  deadly  aim,  and  pulled  the  trigger ! 
We  were  fighting  now  as  I  never  saw  it  done,  we  behind 
the  railroad  bank  and  in  the  cut,  which  made  a  splendid 
breastwork,  the  enemy  crowded  in  the  field,  their  men  fall- 
ing fast,  as  we  could  plainly  see.  Our  ammunition  was 
failing,  our  men  taking  it  from  the  boxes  of  dead  and 
wounded  comrades.  The  advance  of  the  enemy  con- 
tinued ;  by  this  time  they  were  at  the  bank,  they  mounting 
it,  our  men  mounting  too,  some  with  guns  loaded,  some 
with  bayonets  fixed,  some  with  muskets  clubbed,  and 
some  with  large  rocks  in  their  hands.  (Col.  Johnson  in 
his  official  report  says  he  saw  a  man's  skull  crushed  by 
a  rock  in  the  hands  of  one  of  his  brigade.)  A  short 
struggle  on  top  of  the  bank,  and  in  front  of  the  cut,  and 
the  battle  was  ours!  The  enemy  were  running!  and  then 
went  up  that  yell  that  only  Confederates  could  make! 
Some  men  were  wild  with  excitement,  hats  were  off, 
some  up  in  the  air!  It  was  right  here  that  Lieut.  Raw- 
lings,  commanding  F  Company,  was  killed !  —  his  hat 
in  one  hand,  his  sword  in  the  other,  cheering  his  men  to 
victory!  He  was  struck  in  the  head  by  a  rifle  ball,  and 
fell  dead. 

After  the  flying  enemy  we  went,  through  the  field  in 
our  front,  to  the  woods  on  the  left,  through  that  into 
the  next  field,  where  we  could  see  our  line  advancing  in 
all  directions,  our  artillery  firing  over  our  heads !  Some 
of  the  artillery  following  in  the  pursuit,  and  nearing  a 


ONE  OF  JACKSON'S  FOOT  CAVALRY     133 

hill,  ran  up,  unlimbered,  and  fired  rapidly  through  open- 
ings in  our  advancing  line,  thousands  of  muskets  fired, 
the  men  giving  the  old  yell!  It  was  one  of  those  inspir- 
ing scenes,  which  its  actors  will  never  forget,  and  made 
a  staunch  soldier  of  a  recruit! 

We  kept  up  the  pursuit  until  eight  or  nine  o'clock  in 
the  night,  when  we  halted,  and  were  allowed  to  rest  until 
morning.  The  man,  "  with  headquarters  in  the  saddle," 
who  "  had  no  rear,"  was  taught  the  second  lesson  of 
Jackson's  tactics.  He  wished  now  that  he  had  a  rear, 
as  he  was  putting  forth  all  his  efforts  to  find  Washing- 
ton with  its  fortifications,  which  was  forty-five  or  fifty 
miles  in  his  rear,  when  we  commenced  our  movement. 

The  loss  in  our  brigade  was  small.  Among  the  killed 
was  Lieut.  Edward  G.  Rawlings,  commanding  F  Com- 
pany. He  was  as  good  a  soldier  as  the  war  produced,  a 
magnificent  specimen  of  manhood,  tall  and  erect,  over  six 
feet  in  his  stockings,  weighing  about  two  hundred  pounds, 
with  endurance  in  proportion  to  his  size.  I  have  often 
heard  him  say  he  could  march  forever,  if  his  feet  would 
not  become  sore.  He  was  kind  and  gentle,  always  at  his 
post  doing  his  duty. 

To  Jackson  belongs  the  chief  honor  of  Second  Manas- 
sas, as  in  the  first  battle  of  Manassas,  and  the  position 
held  by  the  Second  Brigade  was  one  of  the  points  on 
which  the  enemy  made  many  desperate  and  repeated  as- 
saults ;  in  all  of  which  they  were  repulsed  with  great  loss. 
I  saw  more  of  their  dead  lying  on  the  ground  in 
our  front  than  I  saw  in  the  same  space  during  the 
war. 

One  of  our  company  wrote  home  that  he  was  shot  all 
to  pieces,  having  twenty-seven  holes  shot  through  his 
blanket.     In  his  next  letter  he  explained  that  his  blanket 


i34  ONE  OF  JACKSON'S  FOOT  CAVALRY 

was  folded,  and  one  shot  going  through  it,  made  the 
twenty-seven  holes ! 

I  take  pleasure  in  adding  my  mite  of  praise  to  our 
division  and  brigade  commanders.  Brig.  Gen.  Taliaferro, 
commanding  the  division  the  first  evening,  was  wounded. 
Brig.  Gen.  Starke  of  the  Louisiana  Brigade  succeeded 
him.  This  was  his  first  experience  in  handling  a  divi- 
sion, but  he  did  it  with  great  skill;  he  was  conspicuous 
for  gallantry,  and  seemed  to  be  at  the  right  spot  at  the 
right  moment!  His  conduct  was  such  as  to  endear  him 
to  this  old  command,  and  when  he  was  killed  at  its  head, 
a  few  weeks  later,  many  an  eye  was  dimmed  by  a  tear ! 

It  was  the  unanimous  sentiment  of  the  Second  Brigade 
that  they  were  never  handled  as  well  as  they  were  by 
Colonel  Bradley  T.  Johnson,  during  this  battle  and  the 
rest  of  the  time  he  was  with  us.  His  personal  interest 
in  the  men  went  right  to  their  hearts,  and  they  showed 
their  appreciation  by  obeying  every  order  with  cheerful- 
ness and  alacrity.  And  we  made  him  a  Brigadier  Gen- 
eral. Here  is  an  extract  from  a  letter  written  to  the 
Secretary  of  War  by  Lieut.  Gen.  Jackson,  in  which  he 
speaks  of  Col.  Johnson  and  the  Second  Brigade  at 
Second  Manassas :  '  The  heroism  with  which  the  brig- 
ade fought,  and  its  success  in  battle,  but  brightened  my 
opinion  of  its  commander." 

It  is  not  generally  known  that  the  ground  occupied 
by  the  enemy  in  the  battle  of  First  and  Second  Manassas 
was  almost  the  same.  The  junction  of  the  Warrenton 
pike  and  the  Sudley  road  was  an  important  point  in  both 
battles.  In  the  first  battle,  they  marched  southward 
along  the  Sudley  road  to  the  Stone  House  at  the  junction 
of  the  Warrenton  pike  and  thence  moved  to  the  South- 
east.    In   the   second  battle,   they   marched    Northward 


ONE  OF  JACKSON'S  FOOT  CAVALRY  135 

along  the  same  road  to  the  Stone  House,  and  from  that 
point  Northwest.  Some  of  their  guns  occupied  the  same 
hills  during  both  battles.  In  the  first,  firing  to  the  South- 
east, and  in  the  second,  reversing  and  firing  to  the  North- 
west. 


XV 


THE       MARYLAND       CAMPAIGN HARPERS       FERRY      AND 

SHARPSBURG 

The  morning  after  the  battle  of  Second  Manassas, 
the  pursuit  of  the  enemy  was  resumed,  and  continued  all 
day.  The  next  morning,  Sept.  ist,  Jackson  advanced  by 
the  Little  River  Turnpike,  and  about  noon  learned  that 
the  enemy  had  made  a  stand  near  Chantily,  or  Ox  Hill. 
He  immediately  made  arrangements  to  attack  them. 
When  we  were  ready  to  advance,  it  commenced  to  rain, 
lasting  a  short  time,  but  coming  down  in  torrents !  At 
its  height,  the  Yanks  made  an  attack  on  us,  which  was  as 
sudden  and  almost  as  furious  as  the  rainstorm !  We 
repulsed  this  attack  and  advanced,  but  night  came  on  and 
put  a  stop  to  the  fight.  The  enemy  lost  two  generals, 
killed  in  this  battle ;  one  of  them  being  Phil  Kearney.  It 
is  said  that  Gen.  Jackson  was  told  by  one  of  his  officers 
that  the  rain  had  wet  and  ruined  all  the  ammunition  of 
his  men,  and  the  officer  desired  to  know  what  he  must 
do  about  it.  Gen.  Jackson  replied  that  the  rain  had 
ruined  the  enemy's,  too  !  We  lay  down  in  our  wet  clothes 
on  the  wet  ground  for  rest,  and  arose  early  in  the  morn- 
ing, feeling  stiff  and  sore.  We  marched  in  pursuit  of 
the  enemy  a  short  distance,  and  heard  that  during  the 
night  they  had  retreated,  and  sought  protection  in  their 
fortifications  around  Washington.  As  night  approached 
we  made  preparations  for  a  good  rest,  as  it  was  the  first 
we  had  had  for  a  week  out  of  sight  of  the  enemy,  and 
we  made  good  use  of  it,  feeling  the  next  morning  like  new 

136 


ONE  OF  JACKSON'S  FOOT  CAVALRY     137 

men.  We  started  on  the  march  early  in  the  morning. 
Soon  it  was  passed  from  lip  to  lip  along  the  line  that  we 
were  going  into  Maryland.  This  created  great  excite- 
ment among  the  men,  and  they  stepped  off  so  briskly  as 
to  give  no  suggestion  that  these  men  had  had  only  one 
night's  rest  and  none  during  the  day,  for  more  than  a 
week !  At  night  we  halted,  and  were  allowed  another 
good  rest.  Our  wagons  joined  us  during  the  night,  and 
the  next  morning  we  were  given  time  to  cook  rations, 
the  first  that  the  men  had  cooked  since  Aug.  25th.  It 
would  have  done  one  good  to  sit  down  by  one  of  the 
fires  and  watch  the  men !  As  one  "  spider  "  of  biscuits 
and  one  frying  pan  of  meat  was  cooked,  it  was  immedi- 
ately divided  and  eaten,  then  another  was  cooked  and 
eaten,  most  of  the  rations  for  the  twenty- four  hours 
being  thus  disposed  of.  After  the  cooking  was  done  and 
wagons  were  loaded,  we  resumed  our  march,  and  halted 
at  night  in  the  neighborhood  of  Leesburg.  The  next 
morning,  Sept.  5th,  we  marched  again,  and  about  9  or 
10  o'clock  in  the  morning  the  Second  Brigade  reached 
the  Potomac  river,  and  forded  it  at  White's  Ford,  with 
great  enthusiasm, —  bands  playing,  men  singing  and 
cheering!  Reaching  Maryland,  we  marched  up  the  tow 
path  of  the  Washington  Canal  a  short  distance  to  the 
locks,  where  we  crossed  the  canal  on  a  bridge,  then  took 
a  road  and  continued  our  march  until  night ;  camping  in 
the  neighborhood  of  the  Three  Springs,  resuming  the 
march  the  next  morning.  The  Second  Brigade,  Col. 
Bradley  T.  Johnson  commanding,  was  given  the  advance 
of  the  army,  and  late  in  the  evening  we  came  to  the  Bal- 
timore &  Ohio  R.  R.  depot  near  Frederick  City,  and  saw 
several  cars  loaded  with  watermelons.  The  men  broke 
ranks  as  they  passed  and  many  secured  a  melon,  and  hur- 


0 


8  ONE  OF  JACKSON'S  FOOT  CAVALRY 


riecl  back  to  his  place.  Soon  afterwards  we  entered 
Frederick  City,  many  of  the  men  having  watermelons  in 
their  arms.  We  marched  to  the  Fair  Grounds,  which 
had  been  fitted  up  as  a  large  hospital  for  the  enemy.  Our 
brigade  stacked  arms,  and  were  told  to  make  themselves 
comfortable  for  the  night.  A  guard  was  placed  around 
our  camp,  in  order  to  prevent  the  men  from  straggling 
through  the  town.  A  friend  and  I  succeeded  in  passing 
the  guard,  and  took  a  stroll  through  the  town.  We  were 
invited  into  several  houses  and  entertained  handsomely 
at  supper,  eating  enough  for  half  a  dozen  men.  After 
being  absent  for  some  time,  we  returned  to  our  quarters. 
Reaching  my  company  I  was  told  to  report  to  brigade 
headquarters  at  once.  I  thought  something  terrible  was 
to  pay  now,  did  not  know  whether  I  was  to  be  shot  or 
sent  to  prison,  but  I  knew  something  was  to  be  done  with 
me.  I  was  soon  ready,  found  headquarters,  and  reported 
to  the  adjutant  general.  He  greeted  me  cheerfully,  and 
told  me  to  go  at  once  to  the  enemy's  hospital,  ask  for 
the  surgeon  in  charge,  get  a  list  from  him  of  the  names 
of  all  the  inmates,  and  write  a  parole  for  each,  according 
to  a  copy  he  furnished  me.  He  said  the  surgeon  in  charge 
would  give  me  all  the  information  wanted,  and  render 
me  any  assistance  that  was  needed. 

I  went  back  to  my  company  with  a  light  heart,  made 
disposition  of  my  gun  and  ammunition,  and  took  my  bag- 
gage with  me.  I  will  take  occasion  to  tell  what  that 
consisted  of,  and  at  same  time  will  say  that  it  was  rather 
above  the  average  in  our  army,  as  to  quality  as  well  as 
quantity.  I  had  a  very  good  oilcloth  haversack  to  carry 
my  rations  in,  a  tin  cup,  a  splendid  rubber  cloth,  a  blanket, 
a  pair  of  jeans  drawers,  and  a  pair  of  woolen  socks ;  every 
article    captured     from    the     enemy !     The    socks     and 


ONE  OF  JACKSON'S  FOOT  CAVALRY     139 

drawers  were  placed  in  the  blanket,  the  blanket  was  rolled 
np  with  the  rubber  cloth  on  the  outside,  the  ends  drawn 
together  and  fastened  with  a  short  strap.  To  carry  this 
we  put  it  over  the  head  and  let  it  hang  from  the  shoulder. 
Thus  equipped,  I  reported  to  the  surgeon.  He  treated 
me  very  politely,  gave  me  a  list  of  about  seven  hundred 
men  who  were  in  the  hospital,  conducted  me  into  one  of 
the  dining-rooms,  gave  me  a  lamp,  pen,  ink,  and  paper, 
and  told  me  to  use  one  of  the  tables.  He  thought  it  the 
best  place,  because  I  would  have  plenty  of  room,  and  no 
one  to  disturb  me.  I  cleaned  the  table  and  prepared  for 
action,  sat  down  and  commenced  to  write  at  once.  I 
tell  you  it  was  a  job,  as  I  had  to  write  every  word  of  the 
paroles  for  those  men  in  duplicate,  one  for  the  prisoner 
and  one  for  us.  I  wrote  until  about  twelve  at  night, 
when  the  doctor  came  in  and  brought  me  a  nfce  lunch. 
He  sat  down,  and  we  had  a  pleasant  talk  for  about  an 
hour,  he  leaving  and  I  continuing  my  writing  until  nearly 
day,  when  I  lay  down  on  one  of  the  benches,  and  had  a 
good  nap.  I  arose,  went  to  the  pump,  washed  myself, 
looked  up  my  company,  had  a  little  chat  with  them,  and 
went  back  to  my  dining-room,  keeping  at  my  work  until 
it  was  finished,  the  doctor  sending  me  my  meals.  After 
I  had  finished,  I  reported  at  headquarters  to  the  adjutant 
general,  who  told  me  to  stay  there,  that  I  was  wanted  for 
special  duty,  as  Col.  Johnson  was  in  command  of  the 
town,  and  had  the  Second  Brigade  on  guard  duty.  I 
stayed  at  headquarters  until  Sept.  10th,  when  Jackson's 
corps  left  the  city,  taking  the  road  to  Hagerstown,  and 
camping  that  night  near  Boonsboro. 

I  was  marching  at  the  head  of  the  column,  and  reach- 
ing Boonsboro  the  next  morning,  saw  the  advance  cavalry 
enter  and  pass  through  the  village.     Gen.  Jackson  fol- 


140  ONE  OF  JACKSON'S  FOOT  CAVALRY 

lowed  a  short  distance  after  them,  and  at  a  house  near 
the  corner  of  a  cross  street,  dismounted,  and  tying  his 
horse,  entered  the  house.  He  had  hardly  entered  the 
house  before  a  body  of  cavalry  charged  through  the  vil- 
lage on  the  cross  street,  in  full  sight  of  the  head  of  our 
column.  When  we  reached  the  village,  we  learned  that 
they  were  a  body  of  Yanks,  who  had  made  a  dash  through 
our  line.  This  was  a  narrow  escape  for  Jackson,  as  he 
surely  would  have  been  captured  if  he  had  ridden  on,  or 
delayed  his  going  into  the  house!  The  god  of  battle 
took  care  of  him;  it  was  not  destined  that  the  Yanks 
should  get  him ! 

We  turned  to  the  left  and  marched  to  Williamsport, 
crossing  the  Potomac  into  Virginia.  I  made  a  big  spec- 
ulation at  W'illiamsport ;  my  messmates  asked  me  to  get 
some  soda,  as  we  needed  it  to  make  our  biscuits.  I  went 
to  a  drug  store  to  get  it,  asked  the  salesman  for  a  pound, 
and  the  price  was  only  eight  cents.  I  gave  him  a  Con- 
federate note,  which  he  took  without  hesitation,  and  gave 
me  change.  I  then  asked  what  he  would  sell  a  keg  for; 
his  reply,  six  cents  per  pound.  I  paid  him  at  once,  shoul- 
dered the  keg,  one  hundred  and  twenty  pounds,  carried 
it  to  the  river,  where  I  induced  a  wagon  to  carry  it  to 
camp  for  me.  I  sold  it  that  night  for  twenty-five  cents 
per  pound !  We  marched  to  the  neighborhood  of  North 
Mountain  depot  on  the  B.  &  O.  R.  R.,  and  camped  for 
the  night. 

The  next  morning  we  continued  our  march,  passing 
through  Martinsburg,  where  we  captured  from  the  enemy 
a  good  lot  of  stores,  they  retreating  to  Harper's  Ferry, 
and  we  going  into  camp  for  the  night  not  far  from  Mar- 
tinsburg. 

In  the  morning  we  marched  to  Harper's  Ferry,  where 


ONE  OF  JACKSON'S  FOOT  CAVALRY     141 

the  enemy  were  fortified,  and  were  awaiting  us.  We 
skirmished  some,  driving  the  enemy  in,  and  locating  their 
position,  we  rested  in  our  places  for  the  night,  and  the 
next  morning  a  line  of  battle  was  formed,  Jackson's  di- 
vision on  the  left,  its  left  resting  on  the  Potomac  river, 
Ewell's  division  next,  and  A.  P.  Hill's  on  the  right,  and 
their  right  resting  on  the  Shenandoah  river.  Our  skir- 
mishers drove  those  of  the  enemy  all  along  the  line,  and 
the  artillery  from  each  side  commenced  firing.  We  were 
joined  in  the  afternoon  by  artillery  from  Maryland  and 
Shenandoah  Heights,  and  learned,  through  this,  that  we 
had  help  from  McLaws,  who  occupied  the  former,  and 
Walker  the  latter  position.  Both  of  these  commands 
were  sending  shot  into  the  doomed  enemy.  Firing  was 
kept  up  in  this  way  until  late  in  the  evening,  when  we 
made  several  attacks  on  different  positions  of  the  enemy, 
capturing  them,  gaining  much  advantage,  and  bringing 
our  line  closer  to  their  fortifications.  Night  coming  on, 
Ave  rested  in  our  places.  Early  the  next  morning  the  guns 
all  along  our  line  opened,  and  the  infantry  was  preparing 
for  a  general  charge,  when  the  white  flag  was  seen  in 
several  places  along  the  enemy's  fortifications.  In  a 
little  while  firing  ceased  and  soon  after  it  was  announced 
that  the  enemy  had  surrendered ! 

Some  of  the  headquarters  folks  had  offered  to  feed  a 
horse  for  me,  if  I  would  get  one.  My  opportunity  had 
come.  Making  my  way  to  the  fortifications,  I  clambered 
over  them,  saw  the  Yankees  had  stacked  their  arms,  and 
were  parking  their  artillery  and  wagons.  I  was  sur- 
rounded at  once  and  plied  with  all  kinds  of  questions  as 
to  what  Jackson  would  do  with  them.  Since  I  did  not 
know  anything  about  the  terms  of  surrender,  I  could 
tell  them  nothing.     I  took  a  Colt's  army  pistol  from  one 


142  ONE  OF  JACKSON'S  FOOT  CAVALRY 

of  them,  and  buckling  it  around  my  waist,  went  on  my 
way  looking  for  a  horse.  McLaws  had  not  ceased  firing; 
every  now  and  then  a  shot  from  his  guns  would  drop  near 
me.  A  Yankee  major  rode  up  to  me  and  in  a  very  rough 
manner  wanted  to  know  "  why  your  people  kept  firing 
on  us,  after  we  had  surrendered?  "  I  told  him  very  po- 
litely to  ask  Gen.  Jackson.  I  approached  a  line  of  tents 
that  looked  as  if  they  were  abandoned;  going  among 
these,  I  was  delighted  by  the  sight  of  as  fine  a  horse  with 
equipment  as  I  had  ever  seen.  He  was  tied  to  a  stake 
near  a  tent,  and  my  heart  fairly  leaped  to  my  throat  as 
I  went  to  him,  untied  and  mounted  him !  As  I  started  off 
a  Yankee  colonel  came  from  a  tent,  spoke  to  me  very  po- 
litely, and  inquired  what  I  intended  to  do  with  his  horse. 
I  replied  that  I  was  very  much  obliged  to  him  and  would 
take  good  care  of  him  for  Flarper's  Ferry's  sake.  He 
asked  me  to  stop,  which  I  did,  and  he  came  forward  and 
told  me  that  probably  I  did  not  know  the  terms  of  the 
surrender ;  then  he  told  me  that  Gen.  Jackson  had  al- 
lowed the  officers  to  retain  their  arms,  horses,  equipments 
and  private  baggage,  and  added  that  he  had  no  fear  of 
my  taking  his  horse  after  learning  the  terms.  I  sadly 
turned  the  horse's  head  toward  the  stake,  rode  him  to  it, 
and  fastened  him.  The  colonel  invited  me  into  his  tent  to 
take  a  lunch,  as  he  called  it,  which  was  a  big  dinner  for 
an  old  Confederate;  he  also  placed  several  bottles  on  the 
table,  from  which  I  might  help  myself.  I  disliked  the 
losing  of  the  horse,  but  could  not  take  him  after  the 
terms  were  made  known  to  me ;  indeed,  the  behavior  of 
the  officer  so  impressed  me,  that  it  would  have  saved  the 
horse  to  him,  if  the  terms  had  not  been  known! 

I  walked  around  and  looked  at  the  long  lines  of  stacked 
muskets,  the  park  of  artillery  and  wagons,  gave  up  my 


ONE  OF  JACKSON'S  FOOT  CAVALRY     143 

notion  of  a  horse,  and  soon  wended  my  way  back  to  our 
line  over  the  route  I  had  come.  While  I  was  inside  of 
the  enemy's  fortification,  I  did  not  see  a  Confederate. 
We  captured  over  eleven  thousand  prisoners,  seventy- 
two  pieces  of  artillery  with  caissons,  horses,  etc.,  about 
ten  thousand  muskets,  several  hundred  wagons  with 
mules,  and  a  large  quantity  of  stores.  Gen.  A.  P.  Hill 
and  his  division  attended  to  the  surrender.  Jackson's 
and  E well's  divisions  were  withdrawn  from  the  line,  and, 
stacking  arms,  were  allowed  to  rest.  In  the  afternoon 
we  were  ordered  to  cook  rations,  and  be  ready  to  move 
as  soon  as  possible ;  and,  as  night  approached,  we  were 
under  arms  and  marched,  taking  the  road  to  Shepherds- 
town. 

SHARPSBURG 

Jackson's  division  marched  all  night,  passed  through 
Shepherdstown  the  next  morning,  and  forded  the  Poto- 
mac at  Boteler's  Ford,  a  little  below  the  town.  We  were 
in  Maryland  the  second  time.  Marching  a  short  distance 
from  the  river,  we  came  to  the  town  of  Sharpsburg,  and 
passing  through  it,  marched  about  a  mile,  halted  near  the 
Tunker  or  Dunkard  church,  stacked  arms,  and  were  told 
that  we  could  rest.  We  remained  there  several  hours 
and  were  much  refreshed.  We  marched  up  the  Hagers- 
town  road  about  half  a  mile,  when,  in  passing  through 
a  field,  we  were  heavily  assailed  by  shot  and  shell  from 
the  enemy.  We  marched  a  short  distance  and  formed  a 
line  of  battle;  Jackson's  division  occupied  the  left  of  our 
line  of  battle,  and  was  formed  in  two  lines  on  the  left 
or  west  of  the  Hagerstown  road,  and  at  nearly  right 
angles  to  the  road.  The  Second  and  Stonewall  Brigades 
were  formed  in  the  front  line,  in  a  field,  the  Stonewall 


144  ONE  OF  JACKSON'S  FOOT  CAVALRY 

Brigade  resting  on  the  Hagerstown  road  and  connecting 
with  E well's  division,  the  line  under  the  command  of 
Ft.  Col.  A.  J.  Grigsby  of  the  Stonewall  Brigade.  Starke's 
and  the  Third  Brigade  were  formed  in  a  wood  about  two 
or  three  hundred  yards  in  our  rear,  and  were  commanded 
by  Brig.  Gen.  Starke.  We  had  been  in  position  only  a 
short  time,  when  the  enemy  opened  a  heavy  fire  on  us 
from  guns  in  front  and  on  our  right.  This  was  contin- 
ued until  late  in  the  night.  We  went  to  sleep  in  line ! 
On  the  morning  of  the  17th  we  saw  that  McClellan 
had  decidedly  the  advantage  in  position.  His  artillery 
in  our  front  was  on  higher  ground,  and  on  the  right  his 
guns  on  high  hills  beyond  the  Antietam  could  enfilade 
us,  and  farther  up  the  mountain  side  we  saw  his  signal 
flags  at  work.  They  seemed  to  overlook  our  entire 
line.  We  were  not  allowed  to  make  much  of  an  obser- 
vation before  the  enemy's  shells  dropped  in  our  midst 
from  batteries  in  front  and  flank,  and  this  soon  became 
the  fiercest  artillery  fire  of  the  war.  It  seemed  that  the 
air  was  alive  with  shells !  This  fire  continued  a  short 
time,  when  their  infantry  in  dense  masses  attacked  us. 
After  stubborn  fighting,  they  were  driven  back  with 
heavy  loss,  and  the  artillery  commenced  again,  a  fiercer 
fusilade  than  before!  Gen.  Jones,  commanding  the  di- 
vision, left  the  field  on  account  of  injuries  received  from 
this  fire !  Brig.  Gen.  Starke,  our  commander  in  battle 
of  Second  Manassas,  assumed  command  of  the  division, 
and  ordered  a  charge  by  the  entire  division,  which  was 
promptly  obeyed ;  and  while  he  was  leading  the  division, 
received  three  musket  balls,  and  fell  dead !  We  retired 
to  a  lane  on  the  edge  of  the  field,  where  the  fighting  was 
terrific !  We  were  finally  forced  back  by  overwhelming 
numbers  into  the  woods,  and  here  succeeded  in  driving 


ONE  OF  JACKSON'S  FOOT  CAVALRY  145 

the  enemy  back;  we  finally  retired  through  the  woods 
into  a  field,  and  were  allowed  by  the  enemy  to  rest  a 
short  time. 

Old  F  Company  had  reached  low  water  mark !  After 
Second  Manassas  there  were  only  three  men  to  answer 
roll  call, —  Malcolm  L.  Hudgins,  Reuben  J.  Jordan,  and 
John  H.  Worsham.  As  we  had  no  officer,  we  were  or- 
dered to  report  to  Capt.  Page  of  Company  D,  and  when 
we  did  so,  he  called  us  young  gentlemen,  and  told  us  we 
might  march  and  camp  anywhere  we  chose  in  the  regi- 
ment, reporting  to  him  once  daily,  and  in  the  event  of  a 
fight,  reporting  at  once ;  and  ended  by  saying  we  might 
call  the  roll  as  often  as  we  chose !  This  gallant  and  good 
man  had  to  pay  the  penalty  of  commanding  F  Company, 
losing  a  leg  in  this  battle.  We  were  known  during  the 
Maryland  campaign  as  the  guerrillas  of  the  21st.  At 
Harper's  Ferry  the  company  had  Hudgins  and  Jordan 
to  stand  up  for  them,  and  at  Sharpsburg  Hudgins  got 
sick,  and  Jordan  was  the  only  man  with  the  company  in 
that  terrible  battle.  By  a  singular  circumstance,  Jordan 
was  detailed  as  a  skirmisher,  sent  out  to  the  front  and, 
when  the  line  was  deployed,  was  on  the  left  of  that  line, 
and  was  the  soldier  that  held  the  left  of  Gen.  Lee's  line 
of  battle.  His  position  was  on  the  edge  of  a  wood,  and 
when  the  line  on  his  right  in  the  field  was  driven  back, 
Jordan  gathered  a  few  of  his  comrades  from  the  right, 
and  held  back  the  line  until  he  found  he  was  outflanked 
on  his  left ;  and  that  the  enemy's  line  was  far  in  his 
rear.  Tie  made  a  run  for  safety,  going  back  to  our  line 
of  battle,  and  found  that  it  had  retired,  and  that  he  and 
his  few  comrades  had  been  left!  Hurrah  for  Jordan! 
Hurrah  for  F  Company !  in  having  such  a  representative ! 
He  passed  along  the  lane  and  saw  the  great  slaughter 


146  ONE  OF  JACKSON'S  FOOT  CAVALRY 

of  friend  and  foe,  then  to  the  woods  and  through  them  to 
a  field.  Flere  he  noticed  a  body  of  men  in  the 
field  to  his  right,  but  kept  on  until  he  reached  the  other 
side  of  the  field  where  he  found  Gen.  Jackson  and  staff. 
Inquiring  of  one  of  the  staff  for  his  division,  he  was  told 
that  the  body  of  men  he  had  passed  was  the  remnant. 

At  this  moment  Jackson  was  in  the  most  critical  posi- 
tion of  his  military  career !  Flis  entire  line  had  been 
driven  back  beyond  the  Dunkard  church,  and  they  were 
holding  on  now  by  a  mere  thread,  but  succor  was  at  hand ! 
Brig.  Gen.  Early  with  his  brigade  which  had  been  de- 
tached to  assist  Gen.  J.  E.  B.  Stuart's  cavalry  on  the  ex- 
treme left,  arrived,  and  McLaws'  division  was  expected 
every  minute ! 

Jordan,  who  had  been  retracing  his  steps  in  order  to 
get  to  his  command,  now  saw  the  first  brigade  of  Mc- 
Laws arrive  on  the  field,  and  heard  the  commanding  of- 
ficer give  his  sharp  command,  "  On  the  right  by  file  into 
line!  Double  quick!  March!"  In  a  run  and  under 
fire  the  line  was  formed.  Jordan  stopped  long  enough 
to  inquire  who  they  were  and  to  see  the  line  grow  every 
moment,  and  then  hurried  to  his  command  with  the  good 
news.  Arriving,  he  saw  Gen.  Early  and  Col.  Grigsby, 
commander  of  our  division,  in  consultation.  It  is  said 
that  Early  directed  Grigsby  with  his  division  to  make  an 
attack  on  the  enemy  who  were  again  advancing  with  a 
large  force.  That  he  would  take  his  brigade  to  the  left, 
pass  swiftly  around  the  brow  of  a  hill  and  attack  the 
enemy  in  flank  and  rear.  This  attack  was  a  great  suc- 
cess, in  which  McLaws'  troops  joined,  and  the  enemy 
were  driven  back  at  this  point  with  great  slaughter ! 

Old  Jack,  who  had  been  riding  along  his  line,  got  his 
mettle  up  with  this  success,  and  ordered  an  advance  along 


ONE  OF  JACKSON'S  FOOT  CAVALRY  147 

his  entire  line;  the  men  replied  with  the  old  yell,  and  the 
bayonet!  The  enemy  were  hurriedly  driven  out  of  the 
woods  and  across  the  Hagerstown  road;  and  Jackson's 
old  line  was  reestablished.  The  firing  soon  was  confined 
to  that  of  the  sharpshooters;  the  enemy  having  suffered 
so  much  that  they  made  no  more  attacks  on  Jackson's 
line. 

Oh,  for  a  few  more  men !  With  one  good  division 
we  could  have  routed  the  enemy;  but  alas!  Gen.  Lee  had 
fought  every  man  he  had,  except  one  division  on  his 
right !  This  was  soon  attacked  and  driven  back,  but  A. 
P.  Hill,  who  had  just  marched  upon  the  field  from  Flar- 
per's  Ferry,  seeing  the  situation,  wheeled  his  division  into 
line,  and  attacked  the  enemy  with  such  vigor  that  they 
were  driven  across  the  Antietam ! 

At  night  we  lay  down  on  our  arms,  and  the  next  morn- 
ing were  up  bright  and  early,  expecting  a  renewal  of  the 
battle,  but  the  enemy  were  badly  whipped,  and  did  not 
make  any  demonstration  during  the  day.  The  skirmish 
fire,  which  was  feeble,  and  occasionally  a  shelling  from 
his  far  off  guns,  were  all  he  attempted. 

The  loss  in  Jackson's  command  was  larger,  in  propor- 
tion to  the  men  he  had  engaged,  than  in  any  battle  he 
fought  during  the  war. 

Col.  Penn,  commanding  the  Second  Brigade,  lost  a  leg ; 
Capt.  Page  of  the  21st  Va.  Regt.,  commanding  the 
skirmishers  of  the  brigade,  lost  a  leg  also;  men  and  of- 
ficers were  killed  and  wounded  by  hundreds !  Our  bri- 
gade came  out  of  the  fight  in  command  of  Lieut.  John 
A.  Booker,  of  the  21st  Va.  Regt.,  and  the  division  under 
command  of  Lieut.  Col.  Grigsby.  It  was  no  larger  than 
a  good  regiment! 

The    little    Tunker   or    Dunkard    church,    situated    in 


148  ONE  OF  JACKSON'S  FOOT  CAVALRY 

the  nice  grove  on  the  Hagerstown  road,  had  become  fa- 
mous. Around  this  church  some  of  the  fiercest  fight- 
ing of  the  war  had  just  taken  place.  Dead  and  wounded 
men  lay  in  sight  of  it  by  thousands. 

During  the  night  of  the  18th  we  marched  from  our 
position  towards  the  Potomac  river,  which  all  of  Lee's 
army  forded  into  Virginia,  my  brigade  crossing  after 
sunrise  on  the  morning  of  the  19th. 

All  our  army  crossed  in  safety,  and  without  molesta- 
tion. The  enemy,  however,  attempted  to  follow  us  on 
the  20th.  After  a  corps  had  crossed,  Gen.  Jackson  or- 
dered A.  P.  Hill  to  attack  them,  and  drive  them  back. 
Hill  attacked  with  his  division  and  drove  them  back  with 
great  slaughter ;  driving  them  into  the  river,  where  most 
of  them  were  drowned,  very  few  reaching  the  Maryland 
shore.     This  ended  the  Maryland  campaign. 


XVI 

FREDERICKSBURG 

After  leaving  Maryland,  Jackson's  Corps  marched  to 
the  neighborhood  of  Martinsbnrg ;  here  they  were  busy 
several  days  in  the  work  of  destroying  the  B.  &  O.  R.  R., 
tearing  up  the  track  for  about  forty  miles.  We  took 
up  the  rails,  laid  them  aside,  pulled  up  and  stacked  the  ties, 
then  set  them  on  fire,  and  placed  the  rails  on  them.  When 
the  rails  became  hot  they  bent.  Whenever  there  were 
trees  or  telegraph  poles  convenient,  we  twisted  the  rails 
around  them,  while  they  were  hot  in  the  center,  which 
could  easily  be  done. 

Wre  stayed  several  weeks  in  the  lower  valley,  mostly 
in  Jefferson  County,  every  few  clays  moving  our  camp ; 
sometimes  because  of  an  alarm  from  the  enemy,  some- 
times merely  to  be  in  a  fresh  place.  Gen.  Jackson  did 
not  allow  his  men  to  camp  in  one  place  too  long.  New 
camps  were  more  healthy,  in  consequence  of  which,  we 
rarely  stayed  two  weeks  in  the  same  place.  It  was  very 
easy  for  the  men  to  move,  because  by  this  time  we  had 
learned  to  live  without  tents.  The  only  shelter  the  men 
had  was  oil  or  rubber  cloths  and  cotton  flies.  The  latter 
were  pieces  of  cotton  about  four  by  six  feet  in  size, 
hemmed  around  the  borders.  Button  holes  were  worked 
around  these  borders  and  buttons  sewed  on  at  certain 
places ;  they  were  so  arranged  that  three  of  them  buttoned 
together  made  a  very  comfortable  shelter  for  three  men. 
We  were  dependent  on  the  Yankees  for  them,  as  I  never 
heard  of  our  quartermaster  issuing  any.     The  men  who 

149 


150  ONE  OF  JACKSON'S  FOOT  CAVALRY 

could  not  get  these,  made  a  "  shebang,"  by  putting  two 
forked  sticks  in  the  ground,  about  six  feet  apart,  laying 
a  pole  in  the  forks,  placing  bushes  with  one  end  on  the 
ground,  the  other  inclined  to  the  pole,  enclosing  in  this 
way  one  side  and  the  ends,  and  leaving  the  other  side 
open.  This  would  accommodate  three  or  four  men. 
The  men  with  care  could  make  them  impervious  to  rain. 
They  were  very  comfortable  in  warm  weather.  In  mov- 
ing, all  that  was  needed  was  to  roll  up  our  fly  or  oilcloth 
and  take  it  with  us,  put  our  small  lot  of  cooking  uten- 
sils in  the  wagons,  put  on  our  accouterments,  and  take 
arms.  Then  we  were  ready  for  a  march  to  another 
camp,  or  to  meet  the  enemy. 

While  we  were  in  one  of  these  camps,  one  evening  at 
regimental  dress  parade,  one  of  the  soldiers  was  con- 
ducted under  guard  along  the  front  of  the  regiment  with 
a  large  placard  attached  to  him,  on  which  "  Thief  "  was 
written,  two  soldiers  marching  behind  him  with  guns  at 
charge  bayonet !  This  was  the  first  and  only  man  I  saw 
punished  in  that  way  during  the  war.  We  punished 
some  by  making  them  ride  a  wooden  horse,  by  standing 
on  a  stump,  or  by  putting  a  barrel  over  them,  with  the 
inscription  on  it,  showing  what  they  had  been  guilty 
of. 

On  Nov.  2 1  st  we  took  up  our  march  to  join  Gen.  Lee 
at  Fredericksburg,  it  being  reported  that  he  thought  he 
would  soon  need  us.  We  marched  up  the  valley  pike, 
to  New  Market,  left  the  valley  pike,  crossed  the  Massa- 
nutta  Mountain,  and  crossed  the  Blue  Ridge  at 
Fisher's  Gap.  My  brigade  was  in  front  while 
we  were  crossing  the  Blue  Ridge,  and  we  enjoyed  one  of 
the  most  inspiring  views  I  saw  during  the  war.  It  is  said 
that  the  road  leading  over  the  mountain  at  this  gap  is 


ONE  OF  JACKSON'S  FOOT  CAVALRY     151 

six  miles  long  from  the  valley  to  the  top,  and  seven  miles 
from  the  top  to  the  foot  in  Madison  County.  Near  the 
top,  as  we  were  marching,  there  was  a  large  rock  on  the 
side  of  the  road.  Stepping  on  this  rock,  and  looking 
back  and  down  the  road,  we  could  see  six  lines  of  our 
army;  in  one  place  infantry,  in  another  artillery,  in  an- 
other ambulances  and  wagons.  Some  seemed  to  be  com- 
ing towards  us,  some  going  to  the  right,  some  to  the  left, 
and  some  going  away  from  us.  They  were  all,  however, 
climbing  the  winding  mountain  road,  and  following  us. 
We  passed  Madison  C.  H.,  Orange  C.  H.,  through  the 
Wilderness  and  by  Chancellorsville, —  which  became  fa- 
mous and  full  of  grief  before  we  left  it!  —  and  on  to  the 
neighborhood  of  Guinea's  Station  on  the  R.  F.  &  P.  R. 
R.  There  we  went  into  camp  on  Dec.  2d,  having 
marched  from  fifteen  to  twenty-three  miles  each  day  since 
we  left  Winchester. 

Winter  had  come,  and  many  of  the  men  were  shoeless. 
They  could  not  obtain  them,  and  finally  orders  were  is- 
sued in  Jackson's  division,  that  the  men  should  get  the 
hides  of  the  cattle  we  daily  killed,  and  make  moccasins 
of  them.  It  became  such  a  serious  matter  that  a  list  of 
shoemakers  in  the  division  was  made,  a  member  of  F 
Company  was  sent  to  Richmond  to  get  leather,  etc.,  in 
order  to  enable  these  men  to  make  shoes  in  camp  for  their 
comrades !  This  man  went  to  Richmond,  attending  to 
his  orders,  and  on  the  morning  of  Dec.  nth  read  a  tele- 
gram that  the  enemy,  now  under  Gen.  Burnside,  were 
crossing  at  Fredericksburg.  He,  at  once,  went  to  the 
Provost  Marshal's  office  to  get  a  pass  to  leave  the  city 
(no  one  could  leave  without  this  permission)  by  the  first 
train,  but  was  told  that  he  must  report  to  Sergeant  Crow, 
who  would  carry  him  up  under  guard,  and  turn  him  over 


152  ONE  OF  JACKSON'S  FOOT  CAVALRY 

to  his  proper  command.  This  indignity  he  did  not  in- 
tend to  submit  to,  and  so  informed  the  officer,  explaining 
to  him  how  he  was  sent  to  Richmond,  and  showing  him 
his  papers.  He  did  not  ask  for  transportation,  as  he 
was  willing  to  pay  his  railroad  fare ;  he  only  wanted  the 
necessary  permission  to  leave  the  city,  in  order  to  join 
his  command  and  take  his  post  in  the  expected  battle ! 
The  only  answer  he  received  was,  "  Yon  must  report  to 
Sergeant  Crow."  He  left,  and  went  back  three  times 
during  the  day,  with  hope  that  he  would  find  another  man 
in  command,  who  would  be  more  civil  and  accommodat- 
ing; but  without  success.  The  next  morning  he  went 
again  very  early,  and  one  of  the  men  there  threatened 
to  take  him  into  custody;  but  he  left  very  quickly.  He 
returned  about  an  hour  later,  when  an  old  comrade,  who 
had  witnessed  the  way  in  which  his  friend  was  treated 
the  day  before,  quietly  slipped  a  pass  into  his  hand.  This 
comrade  was  an  old  member  of  our  regiment,  who  had 
lost  a  leg  in  battle,  when  he  was  with  us,  and  was  at  this 
time  employed  in  the  provost  office.  This  is  mentioned 
to  show  how  far  red  tape  goes ! 

Going  at  once  to  the  depot,  he  boarded  a  train  that  was 
pulling  out,  and  reached  Guinea's  about  one  or  two 
o'clock  on  the  12th.  Making  inquiries,  he  learned  that 
Jackson's  corps  had  gone  to  the  front,  and  after  tiresome 
walking  found  his  command  at  Hamilton's  Crossing, 
awaiting  orders  to  take  its  place  in  line  of  battle.  On 
the  morning  of  Dec.  13th,  Jackson's  division  was  assigned 
to  Jackson's  second  line  of  battle  and  was  lying  down 
on  the  ground,  awaiting"  the  movements  of  the  enemy. 
Gen.  Jackson  soon  made  his  appearance  along  the  line 
with  a  cavalcade  of  officers  following  him.  He  was 
dressed   in   a   brand-new   uniform,   with  the   usual  gold 


ONE  OF  JACKSON'S  FOOT  CAVALRY     153 

lace  trimmings  for  a  lieutenant  general.  He  even  had 
exchanged  the  old  gray  cap  for  a  new  bespangled  one, 
and  looked  so  unlike  our  "  Old  Jack  "  that  very  few 
noticed  him,  and  none  recognized  him  until  after  he  had 
passed.  Then  the  old  accustomed  cheer  to  him  went  up 
with  unusual  vigor  !  About  ten  o'clock  the  fog  lifted,  and 
the  cannonading  from  the  enemy  commenced ;  it  was  aw- 
fully terrific,  as,  it  is  said,  they  had  two  hundred  and 
fifty  or  three  hundred  guns,  sending  shot  and  shell  at 
us!  Soon  afterwards  the  Yankees  in  our  front  made 
their  advance.  We  were  in  the  woods  on  a  slight  hill, 
that  overlooked  an  immense  open  field.  The  number  of 
the  enemy  visible  to  us  gave  the  impression  that  the 
whole  of  the  Yankee  army  was  in  our  front !  A  battery 
to  our  right  and  front  was  pouring  shot  and  shell  into 
them  as  they  advanced.  We  learned  after  the  fight  that 
it  was  Pelham's !  What  a  grand  and  heroic  stand  he 
maintained  during  the  battle !  Jackson's  artillery  was 
posted  along  our  front,  but  did  not  fire  a  shot  at  the  ad- 
vancing lines  until  they  got  within  easy  range,  when  all 
of  it  opened  at  once,  and  sent  its  hail  of  iron  into  the 
dense  masses,  making  them  stagger,  then  stop,  and  then 
retreat  to  a  road,  where  they  were  protected  by  its  banks 
and  fences !  An  hour  or  so  afterwards  they  made  an- 
other advance,  and  this  time  with  so  much  determination 
that  they  broke  the  first  of  our  lines,  and  commenced  the 
advance  more  vigorously;  when  our  second  line  was  or- 
dered forward,  and  charged !  After  some  stubborn 
fighting  at  several  points,  they  were  driven  back  along 
their  entire  line  with  great  loss.  They  continued  their 
retreat  to  the  road  and  river  bank.  Their  skirmishers 
and  batteries  kept  up  a  fire  during  the  whole  day. 

A  splendid  line  of  breastworks  had  been  made  around 


154  ONE  OF  JACKSON'S  FOOT  CAVALRY 

Marye's  Hill,  extending  along  the  line  of  Generals  Hill 
and  Longstreet.  They  did  not  extend  as  far  east  as  the 
position  occupied  by  Jackson  during  the  battle  of  Fred- 
ericksburg on  Dec.  13.  The  fight  in  Jackson's  front 
was  a  regular  stand-up  one ;  the  only  protection  we  had 
was  such  as  the  woods  afforded.  As  evening  advanced, 
Jackson  arranged  his  lines ;  the  second  brigade  occupy- 
ing the  railroad  in  the  first  line  of  battle.  Here  we 
awaited  the  expected  advance  of  the  enemy,  and  only 
wished  they  would  come.  Skirmish  fire  and  fire  from 
their  far  guns  was  kept  up  at  intervals  during  the  14th. 
The  next  day  the  enemy  asked  permission  to  look  after 
their  wounded,  who  were  in  the  field  in  Jackson's  front. 
This  was  granted,  and  the  pickets  or  sharpshooters  of 
each  army  ceased  firing,  and  entered  into  friendly  con- 
verse, traded  tobacco,  coffee,  and  sugar.  Night  ap- 
proached, and  put  a  stop  to  this ;  and  each  man  took  his 
place  in  line,  ready  to  shoot  the  man  in  his  front  on 
sight !  The  next  morning  we  learned  that  the  enemy  had 
taken  advantage  of  the  night,  and  had  crossed  the  Rappa- 
hannock. The  fight  on  the  left  of  Lee's  line,  at  Marye's 
Hill,  had  been  terrific,  and  the  enemy  had  been  slaugh- 
tered by  thousands.  The  loss  in  Jackson's  corps  was  not 
large,  Brig.  Gen.  Gregg  being  amongst  the  killed.  There 
was  a  larger  number  of  cannon  used  in  this  battle  than  in 
any  previous  battle,  the  situation  being  such  as  to  give 
them  fine  positions. 


XVII 

WINTER  QUARTERS    1 862-3 

On  Dec.  17  Jackson's  Corps  left  the  battle  field  of 
Fredericksburg,  and  marched  down  the  Rappahannock 
river  to  be  better  located  for  protection  against  the 
weather  and  observation  of  the  enemy.  About  this  time 
the  First  Va.,  or  Irish  Battalion,  was  detached  from  our 
brigade  and  made  provost  guard  for  the  Army  of  North- 
ern Virginia,  and  the  44th  and  50th  Va.  regiments  were 
added  to  our  brigade. 

About  Jan.  1st,  1863,  Maj.  Gen.  J.  R.  Trimble  was  as- 
signed to  the  command  of  Jackson's  division.  He  re- 
mained with  us  until  about  March  1st,  when  he  was  or- 
dered to  another  command.  About  this  time  Brig.  Gen. 
J.  R.  Jones  left  the  Second  Brigade. 

Jackson's  division  went  into  camp  at  Moss  Neck,  where 
we  made  our  winter  quarters.  These  were  huts  made  of 
any  material  that  could  be  gotten,  and  in  any  way  the 
architect  of  the  party  thought  best.  The  greater  number 
were  of  logs.  A  few  men  had  tents.  The  men  soon 
made  themselves  very  comfortable.  A  large  picket  was 
required  along  the  river,  which  was  several  miles  from 
our  camp ;  a  brigade  was  sent,  staying  there  several  days. 
The  picket  guard  was  sent  to  the  front  from  the  brigade 
by  companies,  and,  as  each  company  arrived  at  its  des- 
tination, it  was  divided  into  squads.  These  squads  sta- 
tioned themselves  near  the  picket  post,  erected  a  shelter 
of  cloth,  brush,  etc.,  built  a  fire  in  front  of  the  shelter, 
and  tried  to  be  comfortable  while  not  on  duty  as  sentinels 

155 


156  ONE  OF  JACKSON'S  FOOT  CAVALRY 

on  the  picket  line.  But  in  snow  and  cold  rains,  the 
weather  tried  men's  souls !  While  they  were  on  this  out- 
post picket  duty,  a  soldier's  nerves,  too,  were  tried !  Far 
to  the  front  he  stood  on  his  lonely  beat,  only  occasionally 
moving  because  he  feared  he  might  attract  the  attention 
of  the  enemy's  sentinel  on  similar  duty,  who  might  shoot 
him  from  a  distance,  or  creep  up  later  and  shoot  him ! 

A  party  of  the  enemy  may  steal  up  on  him,  and  take 
him  prisoner  !  Knowledge  of  this  created  an  uneasy  feel- 
ing that  could  not  be  gotten  rid  of,  and  the  man  on  out- 
post guard  was  uneasy  until  he  was  again  in  camp  with 
his  comrades ! 

Occasionally  some  of  the  men  went  down  to  the  river's 
edge,  and  had  a  talk  with  the  Yanks  on  the  other  side. 
Sometimes  a  little  boat  was  made  of  bark  or  a  piece  of 
rail,  which,  with  the  assistance  of  the  wind  and  tide,  now 
and  then  crossed  to  the  other  shore ;  and  in  this  manner 
papers  and  tobacco  were  exchanged. 

After  getting  back  to  camp,  the  brigade  had  its  daily 
drills,  camp  guard  duty,  inspections,  etc.  The  daily  roll 
calls  and  cooking  left  very  little  idle  time  for  the  Confed- 
erate soldier.  Notwithstanding  this,  one  could  always 
hear  someone  singing,  laughing,  whistling,  or  in  some 
way  indicating  that  the  camp  was  not  dead.  We  indulged 
in  games  of  all  kinds,  ball,  marbles,  drafts,  chess,  cards, 
etc.,  and  when  the  snow  was  on  the  ground  we  had  great 
fun  snowballing!  I  have  seen  several  times  more  than 
twenty-five  hundred  men  engaged  in  a  game  of  snow- 
ball! 

No  one  who  has  not  had  the  experience,  knows  what 
a  soldier  undergoes  on  a  march.  We  start  off  on  a  inarch 
some  beautiful  morning  in  spring,  at  midday  slight  clouds 
are  seen  floating  about,  which  thicken  with  the  appear- 


ONE  OF  JACKSON'S  FOOT  CAVALRY  157 

ance  of  a  heavy  storm  soon  to  come ;  the  instinct  of 
home  comes  over  us,  and,  instead  of  the  merry  chatter 
of  the  morning,  stillness  pervades  the  ranks.  Each  man 
is  thinking  of  home  and  some  place  to  shelter  himself 
from  the  storm.  The  command,  "  Close  up!  "  awakens 
him  from  his  reverie,  and  he  is  made  to  think  of  his 
place  in  ranks.  A  flash  of  lightning  and  a  loud  peal  of 
thunder,  causes  him  to  realize  his  position  all  the  more, 
and  now  the  rain  commences  and  soon  pours  down ! 
Poor  fellow!  he  pulls  down  his  hat,  buttons  up  his  jacket, 
pulls  up  his  collar,  and  tries  to  protect  his  gun.  In  a 
short  while  he  feels  the  water  running  down  his  arms 
and  legs,  but  he  is  defiant  yet,  and  the  same  good  old 
Confederate!  Now  the  water  is  slowly  feeling  its  way 
down  his  back,  and,  as  it  gradually  covers  him,  the  cour- 
age goes  out,  and  when  his  back  gets  completely  wet,  he", 
for  a  few  minutes,  forgets  that  he  is  a  Confederate  sol- 
dier! The  thought  only  lasts  a  few  minutes,  and  the 
storm  within  him  breaks  loose,  resulting  in  his  cursing 
the  Confederacy,  the  generals,  and  everything  in  the 
army,  and  even  himself !  Then,  with  a  new  inspiration, 
he  commences  on  the  Yankees,  is  himself  carried  away, 
and  is  once  more  the  good  old  Confederate  soldier,  march- 
ing along  at  a  brisk  rate,  in  the  pelting  rain!  He  is  all 
right  now,  conversation  commences,  and  when  he  reaches 
camp  he  builds  his  fire,  and  has  something  to  eat.  It 
makes  very  little  difference,  when  he  lies  down  to  rest, 
whether  it  is  raining  or  not ! 

We  went  through  equal  trials  in  very  dusty  marches ; 
when  our  eyes,  our  noses,  our  mouths,  our  ears,  and,  in 
fact,  our  whole  person  became  soiled  with  dirt,  and  dust 
finding  its  way  all  over  one.  Besides,  we  had  muddy 
days  to  march  in !     We  soon  got  our  shoes    full,   our 


158  ONE  OF  JACKSON'S  FOOT  CAVALRY 

pants  wet  to  the  knees,  and  some  comrade,  stepping  into 
a  mud  hole,  would  throw  it  all  over  one !  Ask  Tom 
Ellett  what  he  thinks  of  marching  in  the  mud,  and  be 
sure  to  do  so  when  he  is  in  a  good  humor!  Then  think 
of  the  marches  in  hot  weather,  when  we  became  so  hot 
and  tired  that  we  could  hardly  put  one  foot  before 
the  other,  but  on  we  went,  the  word,  "  Close  up!  "  being 
always  in  our  ears !  In  winter,  too,  amid  sleet  and  snow, 
and  sometimes  when  it  was  so  cold  that  with  an  overcoat 
on  we  could  not  keep  warm,  indeed,  any  season,  makes 
no  difference  to  the  soldier;  when  he  is  ordered  to  fall  in, 
he  takes  his  place  in  ranks,  ready  to  face  whatever  may 


come 


At  the  commencement  of  the  war,  soon  after  starting 
on  a  march  we  were  given  the  route  step,  on  passing 
a  village  or  town  we  were  called  to  attention,  and 
marched  through  with  military  precision ;  but  towards 
the  close  of  the  war,  we  generally  kept  the  route  step 
throughout  the  march,  as  all  had  learned  that  the  men 
got  along  so  much  better  and  could  march  much  farther, 
by  being  allowed  to  carry  their  guns  as  they  chose,  and 
take  their  natural  step. 

One  thing  the  government  managed  well,  and  that 
was  the  mail  for  the  soldiers.  In  my  brigade  we  had 
a  man  who  was  the  mail  carrier,  the  government  furnish- 
ing a  horse  for  this  purpose.  The  letters  written  by  the 
soldiers  were  delivered  at  regimental  headquarters,  where 
our  carrier  came  for  them,  taking  all  that  were  handed 
him  by  the  soldiers,  too,  whence  he  would  start  for  the 
nearest  post  office  at  some  depot  or  village.  There  he 
delivered  his  mail,  and  if  he  found  there  any  mail  di- 
rected to  the  men  of  his  command,  he  brought  it  to  us 
at  once.     If  there  were  none,  he  would  go  to  the  next 


ONE  OF  JACKSON'S  FOOT  CAVALRY     159 

place,  and  to  the  next,  until  he  found  it;  and  brought 
it  to  us.  His  arrival  was  a  great  event  in  camp.  Be- 
cause he  had  no  regular  hour  for  returning,  some  of  the 
men  were  always  on  the  lookout  for  him,  both  day  and 
night,  and  heralded  his  coming.  On  his  arrival,  there 
was  a  gathering  of  men  from  each  company  at  regimental 
headquarters,  who  got  their  company's  mail,  took  it  to 
company's  quarters,  looked  over  it,  and  called  out  the 
names  of  the  men  to  whom  it  was  addressed.  It  made 
no  difference  as  to  hour,  whether  it  was  day,  or  one  or 
two  o'clock  at  night,  when  a  man's  name  was  called  for 
a  letter,  he  was  generally  on  hand  to  get  it  in  person, 
unless  on  duty.  It  was  interesting  to  watch  those  fel- 
lows as  they  gathered  for  their  mail.  Those  who  re- 
ceived letters  went  off  with  radiant  countenances,  and,  if 
it  was  night,  each  built  a  fire  to  himself,  for  light,  and, 
sitting  down  on  the  ground,  read  his  letter  over  and  over ; 
while  those  unfortunates  who  got  none,  went  off  looking 
as  if  they  had  not  a  friend  on  earth!  In  the  beginning 
of  the  war,  postage  was  not  required  to  be  prepaid  on 
letters  from  soldiers  in  the  field,  the  postage  being  col- 
lected on  the  delivery  of  the  mail.  In  directing  the  letter 
to  soldiers  it  was  only  necessary  to  write  name,  company, 
regiment,  brigade,  division  and  command.  This  was 
the  rule  in  Jackson's  command,  and  I  suppose  in  the 
army  generally.  There  was  no  post  office  or  location 
mentioned,  because  we  moved  about  so  much  our  post 
office  was  continually  changing.  Notwithstanding  this 
roundabout  way  for  letters  to  travel,  I  never  heard  of 
one  being  lost  either  going  to  or  from  the  army !  Reg- 
ularly sometimes  for  two  or  three  weeks,  we  would  re- 
ceive a  mail  daily,  then  it  would  be  several  days,  and 
sometimes  a  week  before  another  came,  but  the  letters 


160  ONE  OF  JACKSON'S  FOOT  CAVALRY 

always  turned  up.  If  the  carrier  overtook  us  while  we 
were  on  a  march,  the  mail  was  distributed  and  collected. 
I  have  seen  it  delivered  in  this  way  just  before  a  battle. 
It  is  surprising"  how  the  Confederacy  got  along  with 
such  a  small  variety  of  medicines,  which  consisted,  in  the 
field,  almost  entirely  of  blue  powders,  one  kind  of  pills, 
and  quinine.  Go  with  me  to  the  "  sick  or  doctor's  call," 
this  morning.  Reaching  the  surgeon's  quarters,  the 
sick  were  lined  up,  and  the  surgeon  with  the  hospital 
steward  passed  along.  The  first  man  accosted  was  asked, 
"  What  is  the  matter  with  you?  "  The  answer  is  some- 
thing like  this:  "I  don't  know,  doctor,  but  I  have  a 
terrible  misery  here,"  designating  the  locality  by  placing 
his  hands  on  his  stomach.  "  Put  out  your  tongue,"  says 
the  doctor.  After  an  examination,  the  doctor  says  to 
Blunt,  the  hospital  steward  of  my  regiment,  "  Give  him 
a  blue  powder."  The  next  is  examined  in  about  the 
same  manner,  with  instructions  to  Blunt  to  give  him  two 
pills;  the  next  is  given  io  grains  of  quinine.  Then  the 
treatment  is  varied  by  giving  to  the  next  one  pill  and 
5  grains  of  quinine,  to  the  next  a  blue  powder  and  qui- 
nine, the  treatment  varying  as  the  supply  of  pills,  blue 
powder  and  quinine  holds  out.  Occasionally  some  fa- 
vored one  was  given  a  gill  of  whiskey;  nearly  every  man 
thereafter  developed  the  same  symptoms !  Probably  one 
of  the  men  has  an  aching  tooth;  the  doctor  tells  him 
to  take  a  seat  on  some  log  near  by,  that  he  will  make  an 
examination  presently.  The  poor  fellow  seats  him- 
self and  waits  his  turn.  When  the  doctor  comes  to 
him,  he  looks  his  mouth  over  and  says,  "  It  must  come 
out,"  goes  to  his  tent,  gets  a  pair  of  forceps,  and,  on  his 
return,  straddles  the  log,  inserts  the  instrument  in  the 
man's    mouth,    takes    holds    of    a    tooth,    and    by    main 


ONE  OF  JACKSON'S  FOOT  CAVALRY     161 

strength,  after  a  lengthy  struggle,  succeeds  in  pulling  an 
excellent  tooth !  —  but  he  cures  the  ache. 

This  was  about  the  daily  routine  in  camp,  and  it  was 
surprising  how  many  cures  were  effected  with  this  limited 
supply  of  medicines.  The  surgeon  and  hospital  stew- 
ard of  my  regiment  were  always  kind  and  considerate  to 
the  sick,  and  did  all  in  their  power  for  them.  I  will  men- 
tion the  treatment  used  on  the  first  man  of  my  company, 
whom  I  saw  after  he  was  wounded.  The  surgeon  gave 
the  nurse  a  bottle  of  whiskey,  with  instructions  to  put 
a  spoonful  in  the  water  used,  each  time  he  dressed  the 
wound. 

Old  "  F  "  Company  of  Richmond  had  become  so 
small,  that  the  three  or  four  men  with  it  were  ordered, 
in  January,  1863,  to  Camp  Lee,  Richmond,  to  recruit. 
They  enlisted  a  few  men  as  soon  as  they  reached  the 
camp,  and  commenced  squad  drill ;  and  subsequently, 
company  drill,  as  soon  as  they  enlisted  enough  to  call  it 
a  company,  entering  upon  camp  guard  duty,  policing, 
and  other  duties  at  once.  The  old  members  of  the  com- 
pany did  all  in  their  power  to  make  efficient  soldiers  of 
the  recruits,  who  were  conscripts  of  boyhood  and  mid- 
dle age  and  some  old  substitutes.  On  June  21st  we 
received  orders  to  get  ready  to  leave  Camp  Lee  the  next 
day,  to  join  our  regiment  which  was  with  Lee's  army. 

All  the  old  members  were  allowed  to  go  into  the  city 
to  bid  family  and  friends  good-by,  and  to  take  a  last 
look  at  some  bright  eyes,  it  somehow  taking  longer  to 
bid  that  pair  of  eyes  farewell  than  it  did  to  take  leave 
of  a  whole  family.  This  consumed  the  larger  part  of 
the  day ;  the  remainder  we  diligently  devoted  to  prepa- 
rations for  moving  promptly  the  next  morning.  As  night 
came  on,  instead  of  going  to  bed,  each  man  stole  off 


1 62  ONE  OF  JACKSON'S  FOOT  CAVALRY 

quietly  to  the  city  to  look  once  again  into  those  eyes 
to  which  he  had  already  bidden  farewell,  returning  in 
time  to  get  a  short  nap  before  day.  After  breakfast 
we  marched  out  of  Camp  Lee  to  the  Central  depot, 
where  we  took  the  cars  for  Staunton. 

The   following  are  the  names  of  the   members  of  F 
Company  who  left  for  Staunton,  June  22,   1863: 


*  Captain,  William  A.  Peg- 

ram. 

*  Second  Lieut.,  Reuben  J. 

Jordan. 

*  Jr.    Second    Lieut.,    Mal- 

colm  L.   Hudgins. 

*  First    Sergeant,    William 

S.  Archer. 
*Second  Sergeant,  John  H. 
Worsham. 

*  Third    Sergeant,   J.    Por- 

ter Wren. 

Fourth  Sergeant,  T.  Walk- 
er. 

First  Corporal,  E.  Gould- 
man. 

Second  Corporal,  W.  C. 
Tiney. 

Third  Corporal,  George  J. 
Floyd. 

Fourth  Corporal,  Henry  F. 
Munt. 

Anderson,  Joseph  H. 
Barber,  N. 
Bates,  W. 


Bowe,   H.   C. 
Brown,  A.  D. 
Brown,  A.  H. 
Brown,  George  W. 
Brown,  Flenry. 
Brown,  Tames  R. 
Callis.  G. 
Coleman,  N. 
Couch,  J.  M. 
Cumbia,  W.  S. 
Dillard,  R.  PL 
Divers,  W.  H. 
Dowdy,  Nathaniel  A. 
Fox,  Henry  C. 
Gentry,  M.  G. 
Griffin,  J. 
Hawkins,  L.  A. 
Houston,  George  W. 
Johnston,  J.  W. 
Kayton,  P.  W. 
Kidd,  J.  A. 
Mason,  J.  M. 
Merriman,   J.   T. 
Nance,  J.  L. 
Richeson,   P.   S. 
Richeson,  William  R. 


Old  members. 


ONE  OF  JACKSON'S  FOOT  CAVALRY     163 

Rutledge,  William.  Soles,  P.  D. 

Searles,   S.  Trainum,  C. 

Seay,  M.  Tyree,  William  C. 

Simpson,  F.  J.  Wallace,  R.  H. 

Smith,  J.  T.  Wilkins,  J.  M. 

Smith,  Thomas.  Wood,  S.  E. 

We  were  joined  afterwards  by  a  few  of  the  old  mem- 
bers and  the  following  new  ones : 

Bates,  Edward.  Seay^  W.  C. 

Legg,  A.  C.  Smith,  Henry. 

And  W.  E.  Cumbie,  who  was  transferred  to  our  com- 
pany from  the  24th  Va.  Battalion  in  exchange  for  R. 
H.  Wallace. 

During  the  summer  of  1862,  Col.  John  M.  Patton  of 
the  2 1st  Regt.  had  been  transferred  to  Maj.  Gen.  An- 
derson's division  of  Longstreet's  corps.  Lt.-Col.  Cun- 
ningham had  been  killed,  and  during  the  fall  Major  John 
B.  Moseley  left  the  regiment.  This  left  the  regiment 
without  a  field  officer.  While  the  regiment  was  in  camp 
at  Moss  Neck,  the  following  appointments  were  made 
to  fill  vacancies : 

William  A.    Witcher,   Col-     William    P.    Moseley,    Ma- 

onel.  jor. 

William    R.    Berkeley,    Lt. 

Col. 

Lt.-Col.  Berkeley  remained  with  the  regiment  only  a 
short  time,  when  Major  Wrilliam  P.  Moseley  was  made 
lieutenant-colonel,  and  A.  D.  Kelley,  major.  Those 
three  remained  with  the  regiment  until  the  surrender. 


XVIII 

LIEUT. -GEN.    JACKSON 

The  battle  of  Chancellorsville  was  fought  May  2d, 
1863.  Gen.  Jackson's  great  flank  movement  against 
Hooker  was  managed  with  skill  and  success.  Jackson 
was  wounded  and  unfortunately  by  his  own  men,  and 
died  on  the  xoth,  in  the  height  of  his  fame.  It  was  soon 
known  in  the  army  of  Northern  Virginia.  The  men  of 
his  old  division  were  prostrated  with  grief,  nearly  every 
man  in  it  shedding  tears. 

Gen.  Lee's  conduct  when  he  heard  of  the  wounding 
of  Jackson  and  afterwards  at  his  death,  caused  the  old 
division  to  love  him  more  than  ever.  What  a  loss  to 
the  Confederacy.  What  a  loss  to  the  army  of  Northern 
Virginia,  and  to  Lee,  its  commander,  who  said  he  had 
"  lost  his  right  arm,"  and  what  a  loss  to  his  corps. 
Never  more  will  his  sword  flash  in  the  enemy's  rear,  nor 
will  he  see  his  banner  floating  in  one  of  his  fierce  at- 
tacks on  their  flank,  nor  will  he  hear  the  wild  cheers  of 
his  men  as  they  drive  everything  before  them.  In  my 
humble  opinion,  the  army  never  recovered  from  the  loss 
of  Jackson. 

There  was  something  about  Jackson  that  always  at- 
tracted his  men.  It  must  have  been  faith.  He  was  the 
idol  of  his  old  soldiers,  and  they  would  follow  him  any- 
where ;  the  very  sight  of  him  was  the  signal  for  cheers. 
It  made  no  difference  where  he  was,  in  camp,  on  the 
battlefield,  or  on  a  march,  when  the  men  were  so  thor- 
oughly used   up  that  they   could  hardly  put  one   foot 

164 


ONE  OF  JACKSON'S  FOOT  CAVALRY     165 

before  the  other,  or  they  were  lying  down  resting  on 
the  roadside,  when  he  came  riding  by  each  man  jumped 
to  his  feet,  pulled  off  his  hat  and  cheered  him.  This 
was  always  done  with  one  exception.  While  we  were 
marching  around  Pope,  to  get  into  his  rear  at  Manassas, 
one  evening,  we  came  upon  Gen.  Jackson  and  his  staff 
dismounted  and  standing  in  a  field  a  few  yards  from  the 
road,  and  the  little  sorrel  lying  down  nibbling  at  the 
grass.  As  soon  as  the  men  recognized  "  Old  Jack,"  hats 
came  off  and  the  usual  cheer  was  about  to  break  forth, 
when  one  of  his  staff  standing  near  the  road  said  to 
them,  "  No  cheering,  men ;  the  enemy  will  hear  you,  and 
Gen.  Jackson  requests  that  you  will  not  cheer."  This 
was  repeated  by  the  men  all  down  the  marching  column, 
and,  as  the  men  passed  their  beloved  commander,  they 
took  off  their  hats,  some  waving  them  at  the  general, 
others  flinging  them  in  the  air.  Not  one  cheer  was 
given,  but  some  of  the  fellows  nearly  "  busted  "  keeping 
it  back.  It  was  here  that  Gen.  Jackson  said,  "  With 
such  soldiers,  who  could  keep  from  winning  battles." 

What  shall  I  say  of  Jackson's  wonderful  marches? 
His  men  have  long  since  been  known  as  "  Jackson's  Foot 
Cavalry,"  from  his  long  and  rapid  marches.  We  have 
often  marched  daily  for  a  week,  and  on  some  occasions 
for  three  weeks,  and  on  many  days  twenty-five  miles. 
I  do  not  think  my  brigade  ever  marched  over  thirty 
miles  without  stopping  for  a  rest  of  several  hours;  but 
some  of  the  regiments  of  the  old  division  have  marched 
over  forty  miles,  only  stopping  occasionally  for  a  ten 
minutes'  rest.  We  have  often  marched  and  fought  all 
day,  and  in  case  of  a  pursuit  of  the  enemy,  kept  the 
march  up  all  night,  and  a  part  of  the  next  day. 

It  was  in  battle  that  the  men  showed  their  great  love 


1 66  ONE  OF  JACKSON'S  FOOT  CAVALRY 

for  and  confidence  in  Gen.  Jackson,  his  old  soldiers  hav- 
ing implicit  confidence  in  him.  How  many  times  his 
old  command  wished  him  back,  to  lead  in  one  of  his 
furious  attacks  on  the  enemy. 

The  South  produced  many  generals  of  great  ability, 
but  for  brilliancy  and  dash,  the  world  never  saw  Stone- 
wall Jackson's  equal. 

"  Let  us  pass  over  the  river,  and  rest  under  the  shade  of 
the  trees." 


XIX 


WILLIAMSPORT 


On  the  arrival  of  our  company  at  Staunton  on  June 
22,  1863,  we  met  orders  to  take  charge  of  about  one 
hundred  stragglers  of  Lee's  army,  who  had  been  col- 
lected there,  in  order  to  march  with  us  to  the  army  of 
Northern  Virginia,  and  be  delivered  to  the  provost 
guard. 

We  left  Staunton  on  the  24th  with  stragglers  and 
nothing  else ;  no  baggage  wagon,  no  cooking  utensils, 
no  rations,  as  the  men  expressed  it,  "  No  nothing."  On 
account  of  those  stragglers,  who  gave  us  a  great  deal  of 
trouble,  we  made  short  marches,  and  stopped  at  a  barn 
on  the  way  at  night.  It  was  necessary  to  guard  our 
stragglers,  and  the  company  could  do  it  better  by  having 
them  in  a  house.  We  induced  someone  in  the  neigh- 
borhood of  our  stopping  place  to  let  us  have  rations, 
generally  to  cook  them  also ;  and  in  this  manner  we 
reached  the  Potomac  river  opposite  Williamsport,  Md., 
on  the  morning  of  July  4,  without  rations  or  cooking 
utensils.  After  a  visit  to  Williamsport  by  some  of  the 
officers  who  found  no  rations  there,  a  detail  was  made 
and  sent  to  a  mill  not  far  off  to  "  press  "  flour,  if  it  could 
not  be  gotten  otherwise.  This  detail  went  to  the  mill 
and  seized  two  barrels  of  flour,  secured  a  wagon  to  haul 
it,  and  then  went  to  a  hog  pen  in  the  neighborhood  for 
a  hog.  They  were  told  by  its  owner  that  bacon  could 
be  gotten  at  a  certain  store  in  Williamsport,  where  they 
found   as   much   as   they   wanted.     Having  no  cooking 

167 


1 68  ONE  OF  JACKSON'S  FOOT  CAVALRY 

utensils,  and  having  a  baker  in  the  company,  they  de- 
cided to  bring  into  service  one  of  the  "  Dutch  ovens  " 
found  in  that  part  of  the  country  at  nearly  all  the  houses. 
It  was  now  late  in  the  evening ;  we  decided  to  do  the  best 
we  could  for  the  night,  and  use  the  oven  in  the  morn- 
ing. A  sergeant  with  a  file  of  men  went  into  town  early 
the  next  morning,  took  possession  of  an  excellent  oven, 
and  went  to  work.  During  the  day  of  the  5th,  F  Com- 
pany disposed  of  the  stragglers,  and  crossed  the  Potomac 
into  Williamsport,  marched  through  the  town  to  the 
northeast  side,  stacked  arms,  and  there  received  the 
cooked  rations. 

An  officer  was  found  in  the  town  who  said  he  had 
orders  from  Gen.  Lee  to  stop  all  men  here,  as  the  battle 
of  Gettysburg  had  been  fought,  and  Gen.  Lee  intended 
to  fall  back  into  Virginia  by  this  route.  Many  of  his 
wagons  had  already  arrived,  and  others  were  coming  in 
every  moment  in  large  numbers.  As  the  river  was  too 
high  to  be  forded,  because  of  recent  rains,  they  were 
being  parked  along  the  river  under  the  bluff  near  the 
town.  This  officer  asked  our  captain  to  remain  with 
his  company,  as  it  was  thought  that  a  raiding  party  of 
the  Yankees  might  make  an  attempt  to  capture  or  de- 
stroy the  train ;  and,  as  there  was  only  one  organized 
regiment  at  the  place,  he  thought  it  the  duty  of  our  com- 
pany to  stay.  During  the  afternoon  and  night  of  the 
5th  there  was  much  talk  of  Yankee  cavalry  coming. 

On  the  morning  of  the  6th  of  July,  the  company 
formed  a  line,  and  stacked  arms  in  a  field  overlooking 
two  roads  that  ran  into  the  town.  The  men  were  or- 
dered to  stay  near  their  arms,  a  picket  under  a  sergeant 
was  sent  out  on  the  road  that  the  enemy  would  use,  with 
orders  to  allow  no  one  to  20  outside.     Soon  after  the 


a 


FOURTH    CAPTAIN    WILLIAM    A.    PEGRAM 


Opposite  page  168. 


ONE  OF  JACKSON'S  FOOT  CAVALRY     169 

picket  was  posted,  a  young  lady  and  a  boy  on  horse- 
back passed  the  picket  going  into  the  town.  She  was 
a  fine  looking  woman,  and,  as  she  passed,  gave  me  a  bow 
and  a  smile.  She  stayed  in  town  an  hour  or  two,  then 
started  to  go  out,  but  was  stopped  by  the  sentinel.  I 
was  called,  and  she  stated  that  she  was  returning  home, 
and  had  no  idea  we  would  prevent  her  return;  that  she 
had  been  in  town  on  business,  and  told  me  what  it  was. 
Although  I  told  her  my  orders,  she  tried  to  induce  me 
to  let  her  pass,  but  without  success.  I  told  her  I  would 
go  with  her  to  see  our  captain,  and  probably  he  might 
let  her  pass.  I  did  this,  and  the  officers  consulted  and 
agreed  to  it;  but  a  little  Georgian,  who  overheard  the 
conversation,  said  to  the  captain,  "  You  ain't  going  to 
let  that  woman  pass,  are  you?  She  is  a  spy,  come  in 
here  to  find  out  all  she  can,  and  now  she  is  going  back 
to  tell  the  Yankees."  It  was  then  decided  not  to  let  her 
pass.  She  asked  me  where  the  commanding  officer  was. 
I  told  her  who  he  was  and  where  his  office  was  located 
in  town,  and  she  asked  me  to  go  with  her  to  see  the 
officer.  I  could  not  leave  my  picket  post,  and  turned  the 
duty  over  to  our  handsome  orderly  sergeant,  Willie 
Archer.  She  did  not  get  the  permission,  and  from  what 
we  heard  afterwards,  it  was  well  she  did  not. 

The  day  passed  quietly.  The  wheat  and  hay  recently 
cut  was  shocked  in  the  fields  around  the  town,  most  of 
it,  however,  on  the  two  roads  in  our  front  and  beyond 
our  picket  post.  The  teamsters  were  quietly  getting 
both  for  feed,  some  in  wagons  and  others  on  the  backs 
of  mules.  About  four  or  five  o'clock  in  the  afternoon 
a  pistol  shot  was  heard  and  a  great  commotion  was  seen 
amongst  the  teamsters  farthest  from  us.  Soon  the  field 
was  full  of  Yankee  cavalry,  whooping,  yelling  and  firing 


170  ONE  OF  JACKSON'S  FOOT  CAVALRY 

pistols ;  riding  up  to  the  wagons  that  had  hay  or  wheat, 
ordering  them  to  halt,  and,  instead  of  injuring  or  detain- 
ing them,  quietly  pulling  out  matches  and  firing  the 
provender,  and  then  letting  them  go.  Mules  were  seen 
flying  across  the  field  with  a  flame  of  fire  leaping  from 
them,  which  would  last  only  a  few  seconds  before  the 
rider  would  have  it  off,  and  in  many  instances  himself 
off  too,  in  his  efforts  to  remove  the  burning  hay  or  wheat. 
Many  wagons  were  burned. 

During  the  day  all  the  broken  down  artillery  that 
had  been  sent  along  with  the  wagon  train  was  placed 
on  some  prominent  place  around  the  town,  the  guns 
making  a  formidable  appearance.  I  have  been  told 
there  were  twenty-two  pieces,  and  all  in  view ;  that  some 
had  no  ammunition,  some  had  no  chests,  some  a  few 
shot,  and  some  of  the  pieces  were  disabled,  but  they 
made  a  show. 

The  enemy  had  now  brought  out  of  the  woods  into 
the  field  in  full  view  of  us,  eight  pieces  of  artillery  and 
a  large  body  of  mounted  cavalry,  which  had  formed  a 
line  of  battle.  A  body  of  dismounted  men  with  mounted 
officers  were  busy  leveling  fences.  The  dismounted  men 
had  approached  a  lot  of  farm  buildings  about  four  hun- 
dred yards  from  our  company.  Our  picket  post  had 
been  called  in,  guns  loaded,  and  our  company  formed  as 
skirmishers.  Captain  Pegram  took  in  the  situation  at 
once,  and  acted  promptly.  He  knew  we  could  not  hold 
our  position  in  the  open  field  against  these  large  odds, 
and  remarked  to  some  of  the  old  members  of  the  com- 
pany that  there  were  only  two  things  for  him  to  do : 
attack  or  retreat ;  and  that  he  was  going  to  charge  the 
enemy.  He  gave  the  order,  "  Forward!  double  quick!  " 
and  to  the  farm  buildinsfs  we  went  in  a  run. 


ONE  OF  JACKSON'S  FOOT  CAVALRY     171 

We  had  fifty-two  men  present  in  our  company,  nearly 
all  of  whom  were  substitutes  and  conscripts ;  one  of 
them  even  fainted  when  he  saw  the  enemy,  another  had 
a  terrible  ache  and  had  to  lie  down  on  the  ground,  where 
we  could  hear  him  groaning  after  firing  commenced. 
This  reduced  us  to  fifty.  A  few  stragglers,  including  the 
little  Georgian,  named  Ward,  of  Wright's  brigade,  wear- 
ing a  red  Zouave  cap,  volunteered  to  go  with  us.  This 
made  about  sixty,  all  told,  who  went  into  action. 

About  fifty  yards  in  our  front  it  was  necessary  to 
climb  over  the  first  fence,  and  there  the  Yankees  opened 
fire  on  us.  About  half  way  to  the  farm  buildings  we 
encountered  the  second  fence.  There  was  a  lane  from 
the  buildings  towards  the  town,  with  a  fence  on  each 
side  of  it,  and  at  its  end  a  gate  that  opened  into  the 
barn  yard.  Our  advance  was  oblique  to  this  lane.  Soon 
after  we  passed  the  second  fence,  the  left  of  our  line 
came  to  the  lane  fence.  I  was  on  the  left  and  went  over 
the  fence  into  the  lane,  requiring  three  or  four  men  to 
follow  me,  amongst  whom  was  the  little  Georgian.  We 
ran  up  the  lane  to  the  gate  which  I  threw  open,  and 
rushed  into  the  barn  yard,  the  little  Georgian  following, 
and  I  think  old  man  Callis  next.  A  mounted  officer  was 
in  the  yard,  "  cursing  "  and  flourishing  a  pistol.  As  I 
entered  the  yard,  I  told  the  men  to  shoot  him,  but  he 
leveled  his  pistol  at  us  and  fired,  and  the  little  Georgian 
fell  dead  —  as  gallant  a  little  fellow  as  I  ever  saw.  I 
cannot  say  that  the  officer  killed  him,  since  the  enemy 
were  firing  briskly  from  several  points  in  the  yard  at  us. 
My  men  fired  at  the  officer,  who  rode  off  bowed  down 
on  his  horse.  I  was  told  a  few  days  afterwards  by  a 
citizen,  that  he  was  a  major  and  was  wounded.  I  can 
truly  say  he  was  a  gallant  man.     A  small  house  in  the 


i;2  ONE  OF  JACKSON'S  FOOT  CAVALRY 

barn  yard  and  on  the  right  of  the  lane,  with  its  rear 
towards  us,  was  occupied  by  some  of  the  enemy,  who 
were  firing  at  us.  As  I  ran  around  to  the  door,  I  met 
some  of  my  company  who  had  by  this  time  gotten  into 
the  yard  from  the  other  side,  and  we  brought  out  five 
Yankee  cavalrymen,  and  sent  them  to  the  rear. 

We  had  now  cleared  the  yard  and  buildings  of  all 
opponents ;  but  the  fight  was  on  in  earnest,  the  enemy 
having  opened  with  their  artillery,  some  firing  at  us, 
others  at  our  guns  on  the  hills.  We  took  up  a  position 
along  a  rail  fence  beyond  the  buildings,  and  about  half 
way  between  the  two  roads  before  mentioned  and  par- 
allel to  them,  keeping  up  our  fire  on  any  of  the  enemy 
we  could  see  to  be  within  range.  Our  right  had  suf- 
fered more  than  the  left.  Inside  the  barn  yard  were 
lying  Sergeant  Walker  and  Corporal  Tinney,  both  dead, 
and  both  splendid  soldiers  —  in  all,  three  of  our  men 
killed,  including  the  Georgian.  We  captured,  wounded, 
and  killed  fifteen  of  the  enemy  in  the  barn  yard.  We 
now  found  that  the  enemy  were  advancing  on  the  road 
in  our  rear,  and  we  fell  back  to  that  road,  and  were 
joined  there  by  a  company  of  about  thirty,  mostly  strag- 
glers. Placing  a  few  of  our  company  along  a  cross 
fence  to  protect  our  flank,  we  kept  up  a  fierce  fire  in 
front.  Soon  Capt.  Pegram  was  killed,  another  one  of 
old  F  to  join  Jackson  "  under  the  shade  of  the  trees." 
The  Yankees  were  shelling  us  very  heavily,  and,  their 
dismounted  men  largely  increased,  had  possession  of  the 
fence  which  we  had  relinquished,  and  were  firing  heavily 
at  us.  A  regiment  of  our  men,  that  was  at  the  river 
with  our  train,  now  made  its  appearance,  drove  the 
Yanks  from  the  fence.  Our  line  was  lengthened  on  the 
left  by  a  large  body  of  armed  wagoners,  so  that  our 


ONE  OF  JACKSON'S  FOOT  CAVALRY     173 

company  moved  farther  to  the  right.  We  kept  up  our 
fire  until  night,  when  the  enemy  disappeared. 

This  I  consider  the  best  fight  of  F  Company  during 
the  war.  With  nearly  all  new  men,  only  six  or  eight  of 
the  old  company,  we  attacked  and  drove  the  enemy  and 
held  the  position  against  tremendous  odds,  Buford,  who 
made  the  attack,  had  present  twelve  regiments  of  cav- 
alry and  twelve  pieces  of  artillery.  When  he  made  his 
appearance  in  front  of  our  company,  there  was  no  armed 
body  of  men  between  him  and  Gen.  Lee's  entire  wagon 
train,  except  this  small  company.  We  had  been  fighting 
nearly  half  an  hour  before  the  company  of  thirty  men, 
and  three-quarters  of  an  hour  before  the  regiment,  came 
to  our  assistance ;  and  I  repeat,  it  was  the  best  fight  the 
company  ever  made,  and,  in  its  results,  one  of  the  best 
of  the  war.  The  new  men,  except  those  noted,  behaved 
like  veterans,  and  every  one  did  his  duty,  and  they  cov- 
ered themselves  with  glory. 

Our  loss  as  before  stated  was  four  killed,  including 
the  Georgian.  One  of  the  substitutes  became  frightened 
when  the  enemy  opened  their  artillery,  and  ran  towards 
the  wagons.  As  he  approached  a  fence,  one  of  the 
enemy's  shells  burst  in  front  of  him,  tearing  the  fence 
to  pieces ;  this  so  "  conflumuxed  "  him  that  he  ran  back 
to  us  saying,  "  No  whar  was  safe."  He  stayed  with  us 
during  the  remainder  of  the  fight,  and  with  the  loss  of 
a  piece  of  skin  knocked  from  his  shin,  was  the  only  one 
wounded. 

In  the  death  of  Capt.  William  A.  Pegram  we  suf- 
fered a  great  loss.  Young,  unassuming,  but  a  true  sol- 
dier, by  his  gallantry  he  was  notable  on  many  a  battle- 
field. We  buried  him  the  next  day  in  the  cemetery  at 
Williamsport,  and  the  three  men  on  the  field,  which  they 


174  ONE  OF  JACKSON'S  FOOT  CAVALRY 

gave  their  lives  to  win.  We  marched  in  the  afternoon 
to  Hagerstown,  sleeping  that  night  on  the  hrick  pave- 
ment at  the  market  house,  resuming  our  march  early 
the  next  morning,  July  8,  1863,  and  joining  our  regi- 
ment in  their  bivouac  two  miles  from  Hagerstown. 

During  the  absence  of  F  Company  from  the  army, 
several  changes  were  made  in  officers.  Lt.-Gen.  Rich- 
ard S.  Ewell  was  made  commander  of  the  Second  Corps, 
Maj.-Gen.  Edward  Johnson  was  made  commander  of 
Jackson's  Division,  and  Brig.-Gen.  J.  M.  Jones  com- 
mander of  the  Second  Brigade.  The  battles  of  Chan- 
cellorsville,  Winchester  and  Gettysburg  had  been  fought, 
and  on  our  uniting  with  our  regiment  they  told  us  of 
those  battles  and  we  told  them  of  Williamsport. 

When  Gen.  Lee  arrived  in  the  neighborhood  of  Wil- 
liamsport and  found  that  his  army  could  not  cross  the 
Potomac  on  account  of  a  rise  in  the  river,  he  promptly 
turned  his  army  back,  and  formed  a  line  of  battle  near 
Llagerstown.  Here  he  awaited  an  attack  from  Meade, 
who  marched  his  army  up  in  front  of  Lee's,  had  some 
skirmishing,  and  began  to  fortify:  we  following  his 
example.  Gen.  Lee  had  thrown  a  pontoon  bridge  across 
the  Potomac  at  Falling  Waters,  about  four  or  five  miles 
below  Williamsport.  This  had  been  partially  destroyed 
after  Gettysburg  by  a  raiding  party  of  the  enemy's  from 
Harper's  Ferry.  While  we  were  in  line  at  Hagerstown, 
Gen.  Lee  had  this  bridge  repaired,  and  the  wagons 
passed  over  it;  in  the  meantime  the  river  had  fallen 
enough  for  the  men  to  ford  it.  Gen.  Ewell  withdrew 
his  corps  from  the  line  on  the  night  of  the  13th,  march- 
ing all  night,  and  reaching  the  Potomac  a  short  dis- 
tance above  Williamsport  about  daybreak.  We 
marched  at  once  into  the  river  and  forded,  the  water 


1863 

He  carried  an  oil  cloth,  in  which  was  wrapped  a  blanket,  drawers  and 
socks;  haversack,  in  which  was  towel,  soap  and  needle  case;  canteen,  tin 
cup   and    tin    can    for   cooking. 


Opposite  page  174. 


ONE  OF  JACKSON'S  FOOT  CAVALRY     175 

taking  us  up  to  our  breasts.  It  was  necessary  that  a 
comrade  and  myself  should  help  little  Bates,  and  every 
time  we  stumbled  on  some  of  the  large  rocks  at  the 
bottom  of  the  stream,  his  head  went  under  the  water. 
The  remainder  of  our  army  crossed  at  the  same  time  on 
the  pontoon  bridge. 

Our  army  at  this  time  was  in  a  sad  plight  as  to  cloth- 
ing. Hundreds  had  no  shoes,  thousands  were  as  ragged 
as  they  could  be,  some  with  the  bottom  of  their  pants 
in  long  frazzles,  others  with  their  knees  out,  others  out 
at  their  elbows,  and  their  hair  sticking  through  holes 
in  their  hats.  Some  of  the  men  patched  their  clothing, 
and  it  was  usually  done  with  any  material  they  could 
get;  one  man  having  the  seat  of  his  pants  patched  with 
bright  red,  his  knees  patched  with  black;  another  with 
a  piece  of  gray  or  brown  blanket;  in  fact,  with  any- 
thing one  could  get.  There  were  so  few  patches,  how- 
ever, and  so  many  holes,  that  it  was  not  surprising  that 
one  of  the  Pennsylvania  girls  in  a  party  on  the  side  of 
the  road  looking  at  us  pass,  when  she  was  asked  by  her 
mother  how  the  officers  were  distinguished  from  the 
privates,  replied  that  it  was  easy  enough,  because  the 
officers'  pants  were  patched,  and  the  privates'  pants 
were  not. 


XX 


CAMP    MONTPELIER THE    GREAT    RELIGIOUS    REVIVAL 

REVIEW   OF  SECOND  CORPS THE  ADVANCE 

AGAINST    MEADE 

The  14th  of  July  found  the  army  of  Northern  Vir- 
ginia back  in  Virginia  from  the  Pennsylvania  campaign. 
Gen.  Lee  crossed  the  Blue  Ridge  into  Orange  County 
with  all  his  troops  except  Ewell's  Corps,  which  was  left 
in  the  valley,  engaged  in  destroying  the  B.  &  O.  R.  R. 
On  the  20th  Ewell's  corps  took  up  our  march  to  join 
Gen.  Lee,  and  marched  through  Winchester  to  Manassas 
Gap.  Here  we  learned  that  the  enemy  had  advanced 
into  the  Gap  from  the  other  side  of  the  Blue  Ridge,  and 
were  trying  to 'effect  an  entrance  into  the  Luray  Valley. 
We  had  some  heavy  skirmishing  with  them,  which  lasted 
until  late  in  the  night,  when  they  withdrew.  In  the 
morning  we  marched  up  the  Luray  Valley  to  Thornton's 
Gap,  where  we  crossed  the  mountain  and  marched  to 
Orange  County,  joined  Gen.  Lee  on  August  1st,  and 
went  into  camp  at  Montpelier,  the  old  home  of  Presi- 
dent Madison.  This  last  day's  march  was  the  hottest 
I  ever  experienced;  more  than  half  the  men  falling  out 
of  ranks  on  the  march,  overcome  by  the  heat.  Every 
tree  we  came  to  along  the  road  side  had  a  squad  of  men 
under  its  shade,  officers  as  well  as  privates.  While  in 
this  camp  that  splendid  regiment,  the  25th  Va.,  was 
added  to  our  brigade.  We  remained  in  camp  at  Mont- 
pelier until  the  14th,  when  we  marched  to  Liberty  Mills 
to  meet  some  movement  of  the  enemy;  remained  there 
until  the  16th,  at  which  time  we  returned  to  Montpelier. 

176 


ONE  OF  JACKSON'S  FOOT  CAVALRY     177 

It  was  reported  one  evening,  while  we  were  at  Liberty 
Mills,  that  a  small  body  of  Yankees  was  at  the  Madison 
County  poor  house.  A  detail  of  men  and  an  officer  were 
sent  there  to  capture  them.  I  was  one  of  the  party. 
We  started  as  soon  as  we  could  get  ready,  which  was  a 
little  after  sunset.  Soon  after  we  left  camp  a  severe 
thunder  storm  arose.  I  do  not  know  that  I  ever  saw 
one  more  severe.  It  rained  in  torrents,  the  thunder 
roared,  the  lightning  flashed,  and  in  the  midst  of  it  all 
we  trudged  along  an  unknown  road  without  a  guide. 
No  one  in  the  party  had  ever  been  over  the  road  before. 
It  was  at  times  so  dark  that  we  could  not  see  our  hands 
before  us.  We  halted  several  times  to  let  a  passing 
cloud  empty  itself  on  us,  and  the  sky  clear  up  some,  so 
that  we  might  see  how  to  march.  The  dogs  along  the 
road  proved  to  be  great  friends  that  night,  it  being  so 
dark  that  we  could  not  see  the  houses.  When  we  heard 
a  dog  bark,  someone  would  go  towards  him,  and  thus 
find  the  house,  awake  the  inmates,  and  get  directions  for 
our  march.  The  little  branches  and  creeks  running 
across  the  road  had  by  this  time  become  small  rivers, 
and  the  water  of  some  came  up  to  our  waists  as  we 
forded.  Just  before  reaching  the  poor  house  village, 
the  moon  came  out,  and  we  entered  the  village  about 
midnight ;  no  lights  were  visible  and  not  a  soul  was  stir- 
ring. We,  however,  surrounded  the  largest  and  best 
looking  house;  and  knocked  at  the  door.  After  some 
delay,  an  old  man  with  a  veritable  nightcap  on,  poked 
his  head  out  of  an  upper  window  and  informed  us  that 
a  squad  of  Yankee  cavalry  had  been  there  that  after- 
noon, and  left  about  sunset.  We  then  marched  to  the 
church  which  was  open,  went  in,  and,  after  posting  a 
sentinel,   lay  down  on  the  benches  in  our  wet  clothes, 


178  ONE  OF  JACKSON'S  FOOT  CAVALRY 

thoroughly  broken  down,  and  slept  the  rest  of  the  night. 
On  our  return  next  morning,  one  of  the  streams  we 
crossed  the  night  before  had  risen  so  high  that  we  could 
not  cross ;  while  we  were  waiting,  an  old  gentleman  in 
the  neighborhood  gave  us  a  breakfast  which  was  so 
good  that  it  paid  us  for  our  trip.  This  march,  during 
the  night,  was  as  trying  an  experience  as  I  had  during 
the  war.  We  reached  camp  about  ten  in  the  morning, 
having  marched  about  twenty-four  miles. 

Soon  after  we  returned  to  Montpelier  a  detail  of 
men  was  made  to  make  soap.  These  men  gathered  the 
ashes  from  our  fires,  put  them  into  several  barrels,  and 
commenced  making  lye ;  they  also  gathered  the  offal 
from  the  slaughter  pens,  and  with  the  use  of  several  old- 
fashioned  dinner  pots,  in  which  the  soap  was  made,  they 
soon  had  some  excellent  and  pure  soap.  This  was  issued 
at  once,  and  the  men  of  our  brigade  soon  presented  a 
very  clean  appearance.  All  the  work  of  these  men  was 
done  out  of  doors.  They  were  so  successful  in  their 
work,  that  we  carried  a  large  quantity  with  us  when  we 
left  camp. 

This  was  a  very  busy  week :  first,  our  regiment,  the 
2 ist  Va.  Inft,  was  presented  with  a  battle  flag;  the  next 
day,  we  had  a  brigade  inspection;  the  next  day,  a  bri- 
gade review ;  and  the  next  day,  a  division  review. 

Quite  a  charming  story  is  connected  with  this  flag. 
At  the  battle  of  Chancellorsville  our  color  bearer  was 
shot  clown;  one  of  the  color  guard  caught  the  flag,  and 
waving  it  aloft,  was  in  a  few  minutes  shot,  taken  off  the 
field,  and  his  left  arm  amputated  above  the  elbow. 
When  he  recovered,  he  reported  at  this  camp  for  duty, 
saying  he  could  carry  the  flag  with  one  arm  as  well  as 
before.     Gen.  Johnson,  our  division  commander,  hearing 


ONE  OF  JACKSON'S  FOOT  CAVALRY     179 

this,  determined  to  present  the  flag  in  person  to  our  one- 
armed  color  bearer.  It  was  received  at  division  head- 
quarters, and  Friday,  the  20th  of  August,  was  the  day 
announced  for  the  presentation.  On  that  day  the  Sec- 
ond Brigade  was  drawn  up  in  line,  and  in  the  presence 
of  many  spectators,  including  a  number  of  ladies,  Gen. 
Johnson,  in  patriotic  and  thrilling  words,  presented  to 
our  regiment  its  first  battle  flag.  The  occasion  was  very 
impressive  and  enthusiastic.  Our  flag  had  the  following 
battles  inscribed  on  it :  Kernstown,  McDowell,  Win- 
chester, Second  Manassas,  Harper's  Ferry,  Sharpsburg, 
Fredericksburg,  Chancellorsville,  and  Gettysburg. 
Through  an  oversight  these  were  omitted,  viz. :  Cold 
Harbor,  Malvern  Hill,  and  Cedar  Run.  This  flag  was 
carried  with  distinction  in  all  our  battles  to  the  end. 

On  September  3d  we  received  orders  to  clean  our  arms 
and  accouterments  and  cook  one  day's  rations,  and  be 
ready  to  march  early  the  next  morning,  when  a  grand 
review  of  the  Second  Corps  would  take  place.  This 
created  a  great  stir  in  our  regiment,  since  we  had  never 
been  to  a  review  on  such  a  grand  scale,  and  all  wanted 
to  participate  in  it.  We  were  up  betimes  on  the  morn- 
ing of  the  4th,  and  soon  had  our  breakfast,  and  were 
ordered  to  fall  in.  We  marched  through  Orange  C.  H. 
to  a  large  field  about  one  mile  east  of  that  village,  reach- 
ing it  about  10  a.  m.  Our  division  formed  a  line  facing 
east,  about  midway  of  this  field,  stacked  arms,  and 
rested.  We  were  soon  joined  by  Early's  and  Rode's 
divisions,  the  former  taking  position  about  two  hundred 
yards  in  our  front,  and  the  latter  about  the  same  dis- 
tance in  our  rear,  making  three  lines  each  about  half  a 
mile  long. 

About  a  quarter  of  a  mile  in  our  front  was  the  re- 


i So  ONE  OF  JACKSON'S  FOOT  CAVALRY 

viewing  stand,  where  the  corps  headquarters'  flag  was 
waving.  As  the  officers,  who  were  to  witness  the  review, 
and  the  visitors  arrived,  they  took  their  positions  near 
that  flag.  Many  ladies  were  present  on  horseback  and 
carriages,  among  whom  were  two  of  Gen.  Lee's  daugh- 
ters, who  received  much  attention  from  every  one.  The 
scene  was  very  gay  and  brilliant  around  the  flag. 

We  were  to  be  reviewed  by  Gen.  Lee  in  person ;  and 
about  noon  he  made  his  appearance  mounted  on  Trav- 
eler, and  joined  the  throng  around  the  flag,  where  he 
seemed  to  enjoy  himself  highly  with  the  visitors.  Soon 
the  bugle  sounded,  and  announced  that  all  was  ready. 
Gen.  Lee  rode  to  the  front,  accompanied  by  his  staff, 
then  Gen.  Ewell  and  staff,  followed  by  the  generals  of 
the  several  divisions  and  their  staffs,  in  their  respective 
order  of  rank.  Gen.  Lee  rode  to  the  right  of  the  front 
division,  which  had  taken  its  place,  and,  with  bands 
playing  and  drums  beating,  the  general  dashed  along  the 
front  of  the  line,  followed  by  the  large  cavalcade  of 
generals  and  their  staffs.  The  men  presented  arms,  flags 
were  lowered,  the  officers  saluted  with  their  swords, 
and  all  the  pomp  of  war  that  could  be  shown  by  these 
old  Confederates  was  brought  into  view.  Reaching  the 
left  of  the  line,  the  generals  wheeled  to  the  left  and 
passed  in  rear  of  the  same  line,  until  they  reached  its 
end ;  when  they  wheeled  to  the  right,  going  to  the  second 
line,  reviewing  them  in  same  manner  as  the  first ;  and 
then  to  the  third  line;  and  back  to  the  flag,  and  took 
their  respective  positions  near  it.  The  three  lines  now 
marched  forward  several  hundred  yards,  with  bands 
playing,  then  left-wheeled  into  column  of  regiments,  the 
regiment  at  the  head  guiding  us  to  a  line  with  the  flag, 
w^here  the  corps  marched  past  the  stand  in  column  of 


ONE  OF  JACKSON'S  FOOT  CAVALRY  181 

regiments.  As  each  regiment  arrived  in  front  of  Gen. 
Lee,  the  men  came  to  a  shoulder  arms,  the  flags  dipped, 
the  officers  saluted,  the  bands  played ;  Gen.  Lee  raised 
his  hat  in  recognition,  the  ladies  waved  their  handker- 
chiefs and  clapped  their  hands  and  cheered  us,  we  an- 
swering with  a  Confederate  yell.  The  regiments,  after 
passing  the  reviewing  stand  some  distance,  filed  to  the 
right,  and  again  forming  line,  waited  until  the  review 
was  ended.  We  then  took  up  our  march  for  camp, 
which  we  reached  about  nine  or  ten  o'clock  at  night. 

This  was  said  to  be  the  grandest  review  of  our  troops 
during  the  war,  the  movements  of  the  men  were  ex- 
cellent and  our  marching  splendid.  Johnson's  (Jackson's 
old  division)  attracted  special  attention,  and  the  one- 
armed  color  bearer  of  the  21st  Va.  Regt.  was  loudly 
cheered  by  all  the  officers  and  visitors  as  he  passed  the 
reviewing  stand. 

It  was  at  Montpelier  that  the  great  religious  revival 
commenced,  which  spread  so  rapidly  over  the  entire 
army ;  and  the  converts  were  so  numerous  that  they 
were  numbered  not  by  tens  and  hundreds,  but  by 
thousands.  The  place  selected  for  preaching  in  our 
camp  was  on  a  hillside,  in  a  large  wood,  the  road 
running  on  one  side  of  the  place,  and  a  small  branch  on 
the  other.  The  ground  was  slightly  inclined ;  trees  were 
cut  from  the  adjoining  woods,  rolled  to  this  spot,  and 
arranged  for  seating  at  least  two  thousand  people.  At 
the  lower  end,  a  platform  was  raised  with  logs,  rough 
boards  were  placed  on  them,  and  a  bench  was  made  at 
the  far  side  for  the  seating  of  the  preachers.  In  front 
was  a  pulpit  or  desk,  made  of  a  box.  Around  this  plat- 
form and  around  the  seats,  stakes  or  poles  were  driven 
in  the  ground  about  ten  or  fifteen  feet  apart,  on  top  of 


i82  ONE  OF  JACKSON'S  FOOT  CAVALRY 

which  were  baskets  made  of  iron  wire,  iron  hoops,  etc. 
In  these  baskets  chunks  of  lightwood  were  placed,  and 
at  night  they  were  lighted,  throwing  a  red  glare  far 
beyond  the  confines  of  the  place  of  worship.  The  gath- 
ering, each  night,  of  the  bronzed  and  grizzly  warriors, 
devoutly  worshiping,  was  a  wonderful  picture  in  the 
army ;  and  when  some  old  familiar  hymn  was  given  out, 
those  thousands  of  warriors  would  make  hill  and  dell 
ring.  In  this  rude  place  of  worship  thousands  gathered 
several  weeks.  The  interest  manifested  was  so  great 
that  the  seats  were  taken  in  the  afternoon  by  such  men 
as  were  not  on  duty;  and  when  night  relieved  from  duty 
those  who  had  been  drilling,  etc.,  the  men  stood  up  in 
immense  numbers  around  those  who  were  seated.  I 
think  I  can  say  that  the  order  was  perfect,  no  disturb- 
ance of  any  kind  was  ever  known  to  occur,  and  the 
attention  to  the  words  of  the  preacher  was  never  more 
faithful. 

We  enjoyed  in  this  camp  the  longest  rest  of  the  war; 
and  it  was  much  needed.  After  the  review  we  were 
disturbed  only  by  regular  drills  and  the  usual  camp 
duties.  The  men  enjoyed  this  rest  more  than  any  we 
ever  had.  The  camp  was  located  in  one  of  the  healthiest 
sites  to  be  found.  In  full  view  of  the  Blue  Ridge  and 
Monticello,  it  was  a  beautiful  place  and  it  was,  too,  a 
magnificent  farm. 

Our  rest  ended  on  September  16th,  when  we  com- 
menced a  series  of  marches  and  movements,  which  cul- 
minated in  Gen.  Lee's  crossing  the  Rapidan  river,  and 
offering  battle  to  the  enemy.  They,  however,  preferred 
to  retire ;  and  we  followed  as  far  as  Bristow  Station, 
where  their  rear  guard  was  overtaken  and  promptly  at- 
tacked by  a  part  of  A.  P.  Hill's  division,  which  suffered 


ONE  OF  JACKSON'S  FOOT  CAVALRY     183 

some  loss.  When  our  division  arrived  on  the  field,  the 
Second  Brigade  was  formed  in  line  of  battle  near  the 
railroad,  and  perpendicular  to  it,  and  skirmishers  thrown 
forward,  and  we  were  ordered  forward  about  half  a 
mile  through  a  thin  pine  thicket.  The  men  were  cau- 
tioned to  keep  perfectly  quiet,  as  the  enemy  were  sup- 
posed to  be  in  this  thicket.  We  halted,  and  were  ordered 
to  lie  down  in  place,  with  guns  in  hand.  Everything  so 
far  had  been  done  very  quietly;  but  when  an  old  hare 
came  running  to  our  line,  the  boys  could  not  restrain 
themselves  —  some  sprang  to  their  feet,  catching  at  the 
hare  as  it  went  by  the  line  of  battle.  It  was  captured 
by  one  of  the  men  who  was  lying  down.  A  wild  yell 
burst  from  the  men.  and  the  silence  for  that  day  was 
broken.  Our  skirmishers  pushed  on  to  Broad  Run,  and 
it  was  soon  reported  that  Meade  had  taken  refuge  in  the 
fortifications  around  Centreville.  We  quietly  took  up 
our  march  and  returned  to  camp.  The  Second  Corps 
followed  the  Orange  &  Alexander  R.  R.,  destroying  the 
track  from  the  bridge  over  Broad  Run  to  the  Rappa- 
hannock river,  and,  crossing  that  river,  Johnson's  division 
went  into  camp  about  three  miles  from  it,  a  part  of  the 
corps  staying  at  the  river.  We  remained  in  this  camp 
until  the  night  of  November  7th,  when  we  marched  to 
Kelly's  Ford,  to  meet  the  enemy,  who,  it  was  reported, 
Lad  crossed  there.  Near  the  ford,  about  two  or  three 
o'clock  in  the  night,  we  halted  and  sent  scouts  ahead, 
who  learned  that  a  large  body  of  the  enemy  had  crossed, 
staying  only  a  short  time  and  recrossing  about  night. 
One  of  our  regiment  captured  a  prisoner,  who  was  the 
only  enemy  seen  by  my  corps  as  far  as  I  know.  This 
man  stayed  with  the  regiment  two  or  three  days  before 
he  was  turned  over  to  the  provost  guard.  On  the  fol- 
lowing morning  we  marched  to  Culpeper  C.  H.,  going 


1 84  ONE  OF  JACKSON'S  FOOT  CAVALRY 

around  the  town  to  the  Rapidan  river,  which  we  crossed 
at  Raccoon  Ford  about  eight  or  nine  o'clock  at  night. 
It  was  the  coldest  water  I  ever  forded.  Oh,  how  cold! 
I  can  feel  it  now.  As  the  water  at  this  time  was  about 
knee  deep,  we  were  ordered  to  take  off  our  shoes  and 
roll  up  our  breeches ;  and,  as  we  stepped  into  the  water, 
it  was  so  cold  it  felt  as  if  a  knife  had  taken  one's  foot 
off;  and  at  each  step  the  depth  of  the  water  increased. 
This  feeling  continued  until  we  reached  the  middle  of 
the  river,  where  the  water  came  to  the  knee,  and  one 
felt  as  if  the  leg  was  off  from  the  knee  down.  Reach- 
ing the  shore  and  halting  to  put  on  shoes  and  let  pants 
down,  many  of  the  men  were  so  cold  they  could  not 
do  it.  This  was  true  of  myself:  I  had  put  on  one  shoe, 
but  could  not  tie  it,  nor  could  I  roll  my  pants  down. 
In  this  way  we  marched  about  a  mile,  when  we  halted 
in  a  large  wood,  where  we  soon  built  immense  fires  and 
became  warm.  The  next  morning  we  marched  and  went 
into  camp  at  Mt.  Pisgah  Church  in  Orange  County. 
Thence  our  division  went  on  picket  at  Morton's  Ford 
on  the  Rappahannock,  a  distance  of  eight  miles ;  a  bri- 
gade going  to  the  ford,  staying  three  days,  and  relieved 
by  another  brigade,  returning  to  camp  at  Mt.  Pisgah. 

During  the  winter  of  1863-4  the  subject  of  taking  care 
of  the  widows  and  orphans  of  the  soldiers  who  were 
killed,  was  agitated  by  some  of  the  prominent  citizens 
of  the  Confederacy;  an  organization  was  formed  for 
that  purpose,  committees  were  appointed  to  make  col- 
lections, etc.,  and  agents  of  the  society  were  sent  to  the 
armies  in  the  field,  to  ask  assistance  from  the  soldiers. 
One  of  these  agents  visited  our  company  while  we  were 
in  this  camp.  He  was  received  most  cordially,  as  the 
cause  was  one  that  appealed  to  the  sympathy  of  every 
soldier.     When  the  company  was  assembled,  the  follow- 


ONE  OF  JACKSON'S  FOOT  CAVALRY     185 

ing  sums  were  subscribed  by  its  members,  to  be  paid  at 

the  next  pay  day,  or  as  soon  thereafter  as  the  collector 
could  visit  us : 

Lt.  R.  J.  Jordan   $20.00 

Sergt.  J.  H.  Worsham 10.00 

Sergt.   W.   S.   Robertson    10.00 

Sergt.  E.  Gouldman   2.00 

Corporal  H.   F.   Munt    5.00 

Corporal  N.    A.    Dowdy    2.00 

Corporal  H.    C.    Tyree    5.00 

Privates :  N.    Barber    2.50 

A.  D.  Brown   2.00 

G.   W.   Brown    2.50 

J.   R.    Brown    2.50 

J.    M.   Couch    2.00 

W.  E.  Cumbia   5.00 

W.  S.  Cumbia   1 .00 

W.   B.   Edmonds    5.00 

H.   C.   Fox    5.00 

J.    Griffin     2.00 

J.  W.  Johnston    2.00 

P.  W.  Kayton    5.00 

A.   C.   Legg- 2.00 

J.   M.   Mason    2.00 

J.   T.   Merriman    2.00 

H.   Peaster    5.00 

P.    S.   Richeson    2.00 

W.   R.   Richeson    2.00 

S.    Searles    5.00 

W.   C.   Seay    2.00 

J.  T.    Smith    5.00 

S.  E.  Wood   5.00 

J.  A.  Kidd   5.00 

$127.50 


1 86  ONE  OF  JACKSON'S  FOOT  CAVALRY 

This  was  a  liberal  contribution  from  men  whose  pay 
was  eleven  dollars  a  month,  the  majority  of  whom  had 
families  who  needed  all  their  income.  It  is  a  pleasure 
to  me  to  add  that  when  the  collector  came,  every  one 
present  paid  his  subscription ;  and  some  who  were  absent 
left  the  amount  with  me,  which  was  duly  handed  over. 
Every  man  present  at  the  first  visit  subscribed,  and  a 
few  who  were  not  present  then  but  were  present  when 
the  collector  came,  gave  him  what  they  could  spare ;  they 
are  included  in  the  list. 

Gen.  Bradley  T.  Johnson  was  commanding  our  bri- 
gade again  and  his  wife  visited  him  here.  The  first  day 
of  her  arrival  she  visited  the  camp  of  the  brigade,  and 
went  to  each  company  asking  after  the  health  of  the 
men,  and  how  we  were  getting  along,  etc.  This  she  con- 
tinued to  do  daily  as  long  as  wTe  were  in  this  camp. 
She  was  a  beautiful  woman  with  charming  manners  and 
always  had  a  pleasant  word  and  good  cheer  for  the  sick. 
The  personal  interest  she  took  in  us,  so  impressed  the 
men  that  they  looked  forward  to  her  daily  visits  with 
great  pleasure.  The  good  she  did  in  this  camp  was 
never  forgotten. 


XXI 


PAYNE  S    FARM    AND    MINE    RUN 

On  November  27th  it  was  reported  that  Meade  had 
crossed  the  Rappahannock  and  was  advancing".  We 
broke  camp,  and  Johnson's  division  marched  towards 
Mine  Rim  on  a  road  north  of  that  taken  by  the  remainder 
of  the  Second  Corps.  We  were  quietly  marching  along 
a  road  which  runs  through  a  wood,  listening  to  the  dis- 
tant cannon  in  our  front  and  speculating  as  to  the  loca- 
tion of  the  expected  battle.  Suddenly  a  part  of  our 
column  was  assailed  on  the  flank  by  a  Yankee  skirmish 
line.  It  was  a  complete  surprise  to  us,  since  no  one 
thought  the  enemy  was  in  the  vicinity.  Regimental  of- 
ficers cut  off  companies  from  their  regiments,  formed 
them  as  skirmishers  right  in  the  road,  and  ordered  them 
forward.  I  must  say  this  was  the  promptest  movement 
I  saw  during  the  war.  Our  skirmishers  drove  the  enemy 
back  on  their  line  of  battle,  and  by  this  time  Gen.  John- 
son had  formed  the  division  in  line  of  battle,  and  it  was 
moving  forward.  The  left  of  our  line  became  heavily 
engaged  at  once.  The  Second  Brigade  was  on  the  right, 
and  swung  around  until  we  came  to  a  field,  where  we 
could  see  the  enemy  behind  a  rail  fence  on  the  edge  of 
a  wood  at  the  far  side  of  this  field.  Continuing  our 
wheeling,  we  soon  came  to  a  swamp  in  a  bottom,  the 
most  miry  place  I  ever  entered.  How  the  men  crossed 
it  I  don't  know.  Many  left  one  or  both  shoes  in  the 
mud,  the  horses  could  not  cross,  the  officers  were  com- 
pelled to  dismount  and  take  the  mud  too.     WTe,  however 

187 


1 88  ONE  OF  JACKSON'S  FOOT  CAVALRY 

crossed,  halted  a  few  moments  under  the  hill,  reformed 
our  line,  and  went  forward.  As  soon  as  we  advanced 
up  the  hill  sufficiently  for  the  enemy  to  see  us,  the  action 
became  general  and  heavy;  we  fought  until  night  put 
an  end  to  the  battle. 

I  will  mention  a  gallant  action  which  I  saw  here. 
Capt.  Johnson  of  the  50th  Va.  Regt.,  a  man  about  fifty 
years  of  age,  large  and  stout,  thinking  that  some  of  his 
men  were  not  doing  as  well  as  they  ought,  walked  out 
to  the  brow  of  the  hill,  lay  down  on  its  top,  broadside 
to  the  enemy,  and  then  called  to  some  of  his  men  to 
come  up;  and  if  they  were  afraid,  they  could  use  him 
as  a  breastwork.  Several  of  them  very  promptly  ac- 
cepted his  challenge,  lying  down  behind  him,  resting  their 
guns  on  him,  firing  steadily  from  this  position  until  the 
fight  was  over.  I  am  happy  to  say  that  the  gallant 
captain  was  not  injured.  The  division  suffered  greatly; 
of  F  Company,  L.  M.  Couch,  J.  A.  Kidd,  Henry  Peaster 
and  Porter  Wren  were  wounded. 

This  action  was  known  as  the  battle  of  Payne's  Farm ; 
it  was  fought  by  Johnson's  division  alone,  against  one  of 
the  wings  of  the  Army  of  the  Potomac  that  had  crossed 
the  river  at  a  small  ford  to  make  the  flank  attack  on 
Lee's  army,  and,  but  for  the  promptness  with  which  the 
attack  was  met,  it  might  have  been  very  disastrous  to 
his  army.  During  the  night  we  withdrew  across  Mine 
Run. 

On  the  next  morning-  we  joined  Lee,  and  took  our 
position  in  line  of  battle  with  our  corps,  along  the  hills 
of  Mine  Run,  and  threw  up  breastworks.  Meade  occu- 
pied the  hills  in  our  front.  Skirmishers  had  been  thrown 
out  in  our  front  all  along  the  run,  we  heard  the  con- 
tinuous  crack   of  their  guns,   occasionally  a  brisk  can- 


ONE  OF  JACKSON'S  FOOT  CAVALRY     189 

nonade  would  be  indulged  in ;  and  thus  matters  went  on 
all  day.  At  night  all  became  still,  and  we  lay  down  in 
the  breastworks  to  rest.  When  we  arose  the  next  morn- 
ing: we  saw  that  the  hills  in  our  front  had  a  line  of 
fortifications  from  one  end  to  the  other  of  the  enemy's 
line,  and  more  formidable  than  our  own.  The  skir- 
mishing was  as  heavy  as  on  the  day  before,  and  at  one 
time  we  endured  heavy  cannonading  from  the  enemy. 
Night  put  an  end  to  the  firing.  In  the  morning  we  saw 
that  Meade  had  strengthened  his  works  and  brought  up 
additional  cannon.  I  went  back  of  our  fortifications  a 
few  yards,  built  a  small  fire  of  twigs,  put  my  cup  on  it 
to  warm  something  for  breakfast,  and  quietly  took  a 
seat  on  the  ground  near  by  to  wait  until  it  was  heated. 
Two  of  the  regiment  joined  me  and  put  their  cups  beside 
mine,  the  enemy's  shells  from  a  battery  on  our  right 
occasionally  dropping  in  our  vicinity.  Soon  after  my 
friends  put  their  cups  on  the  fire,  a  shell  dropped  in  it, 
burst,  wounding  one  of  them  on  the  head,  and  when 
the  smoke  and  ashes  cleared  up,  our  cups  and  fire  too 
had  disappeared.  I  sadly  went  back  and  took  my  place 
in  line,  without  breakfast.  Once  during  this  day  the 
cannonading  from  the  enemy  was  the  most  severe  we 
had  from  them.  Anticipating  an  attack,  a  sergeant  from 
F  Company  and  two  men  were  detailed  from  the  21st 
Va.  Regt,  ordered  to  go  back  to  our  rear,  find  the  am- 
munition wagon,  get  two  boxes  of  ammunition,  bring 
them  to  the  line  of  battle,  keep  them  within  one  hundred 
yards  of  the  regiment,  and,  if  attacked,  issue  them  to 
the  men  as  fast  as  they  might  need  them. 

At  night  A.  P.  Hill's  corps,  which  occupied  the  right 
of  Lee's  line,  moved  out  of  the  breastworks  and  took 
a  position  on  the  flank  and  rear  of  Meade,  in  order  to 


190  ONE  OF  JACKSON'S  FOOT  CAVALRY 

attack  him  at  daybreak.  Our  corps  remained  in  the 
breastworks,  and  extended  its  line  so  as  to  occupy  the 
whole  fortification,  and  in  my  regiment  the  men  were 
not  much  closer  together  than  in  a  skirmish  line.  Orders 
were  given  the  men  in  case  of  an  attack  to  hold  the  line 
at  all  hazards. 

About  midnight  the  men  lay  down  in  their  places  for 
some  rest,  and  were  aroused  at  break  of  day,  sprang 
to  their  feet  promptly,  and  listened  for  the  expected 
attack  by  Hill.  Not  a  gun  was  heard,  so  we  became 
very  anxious  because  we  had  no  tidings  from  him. 
Soon  after  sunrise,  Johnson's  division  formed  in  column 
and  marched  along  the  breastworks  until  we  reached  a 
country  road,  where  we  filed  to  the  left,  and  marched 
over  the  run  into  the  Yankee  fortifications.  Everything 
was  perfectly  still,  not  a  Yankee  to  be  seen,  they  having 
left  during  the  night.  We  followed  till  we  knew  they 
had  crossed  the  Rapidan. 

Johnson's  division  then  marched  to  Morton's  Ford, 
and,  on  the  next  day,  to  Raccoon  Ford,  where  we  re- 
mained until  December  19th,  when  we  marched  to  the 
neighborhood  of  Orange  C.  H.,  and  then  back  to  our 
old  camp  near  Alt.  Pisgah  Church  on  December  24th. 
The  next  day  we  had  a  regular  old-time  Christmas,  since 
a  good  many  boxes  had  been  received  from  home,  in 
some  of  which  were  the  ingredients  for  egg-nog. 

The  men  suffered  a  great  deal  at  Aline  Run  from  the 
cold  winds.  We  were  on  a  high  hill,  and  were  kept  in 
the  breastworks  all  the  time,  and  not  allowed  to  make 
fires. 


XXII 

WINTER   1863-4 CAMP  NEAR  MT.   PISGAH   CHURCH 

Before  leaving  our  camp  near  Mt.  Pisgah  Church  to 
march  to  Mine  Run,  some  of  the  men  had  built  huts. 
When  we  returned  to  camp  huts  were  built  for  all,  and 
soon  we  were  comfortable.  The  Second  Brigade  also 
built  of  logs  a  commodious  church.  There  we  gathered 
every  Sunday  for  regular  religious  services,  sometimes 
having  a  preacher  to  expound  the  gospel,  and  at  other 
times  a  soldier  would  lead  the  meetings,  which  were 
largely  attended  and  much  enjoyed  by  the  men. 

The  whole  division  was  ordered  out  one  afternoon  to 
witness  the  execution  of  three  Confederate  soldiers  from 
another  division,  who  were  to  die  by  being  shot  for  some 
violation  of  the  laws  of  the  army.  The  division  was 
formed  on  three  sides  of  a  hollow  square,  the  fourth  side 
being  open.  Three  stakes  were  fixed  in  the  ground 
about  the  center  of  this  open  side,  and  soon  after  our 
formation  an  officer  and  a  guard  with  the  prisoners  ap- 
peared. The  prisoners  were  made  to  kneel  with  their 
backs  to  the  stakes,  to  which  they  were  securely  tied  and 
a  cloth  was  fastened  over  their  eyes.  Twelve  men  were 
ordered  to  take  up  the  twelve  guns  lying  on  the  ground 
in  front  of  the  prisoners.  The  guns  had  already  been 
loaded,  it  is  said  six  with  and  six  without  balls,  so  that 
no  man  would  know  that  he  killed  one  of  the  prisoners. 
The  twelve  men  took  their  places  about  thirty  feet  in 
front  of  each  man,  the  order  to  fire  was  given,  and,  at 
the  report  of  the  guns,  two  men  were  killed,  the  balls 

191 


i92  ONE  OF  JACKSON'S  FOOT  CAVALRY 

going  through  each;  the  third  man,  while  shot,  was  not 
killed.  One  of  the  detail  was  ordered  to  place  another 
gun  against  the  man's  breast  and  fire;  this  killed  him  in- 
stantly. This  was  the  only  execution  I  witnessed,  and, 
if  I  live  a  thousand  years,  I  will  never  be  willing  to  see 
another. 

We  remained  in  this  camp  a  long  time,  drilling,  etc., 
during  good  weather,  and  going  regularly  on  picket  to 
Morton's  Ford.  On  February  5th  the  whole  corps  was 
called  to  the  ford,  the  indications  being  that  the  enemy 
were  moving  and  were  marching  a  column  to  the  ford 
with  the  intention  of  crossing.  They  did  not  make  their 
appearance  on  the  other  side  of  the  river,  but  sent  skir- 
mishers to  the  ford,  who  became  engaged  with  ours,  and 
some  of  their  artillery  was  in  action  and  shelled  our 
lines.  We  remained  at  the  ford  until  the  8th,  and  then 
returned  to  camp,  leaving  a  brigade  as  usual  on  picket. 
The  enemy  had  disappeared  and  gone  back  to  their 
camps  before  we  moved.  This  was  known  in  the 
Yankee  army  as  the  "  Mud  Campaign,"  and  they  said 
that  if  their  artillery  and  wagons  had  not  stuck  in  the 
mud  they  would  have  made  things  lively  for  us. 

On  March  1st  the  enemy  made  a  movement  in  our 
front  and  sent  a  body  of  cavalry  on  a  raid  in  our  rear. 
About  sunset  of  the  2nd  the  long  roll  was  sounded  in 
the  camp  of  Johnson's  division,  we  were  ordered  to  fall 
in,  and,  as  soon  as  we  did  so,  we  were  ordered  to  march 
to  the  stone  road.  There  the  division  was  formed,  and 
we  marched  at  a  quick  step  in  the  direction  of  Fred- 
ericksburg. Arriving  at  Mine  Run,  we  camped  for  the 
remainder  of  the  night.  The  roads  were  full  of  mud 
and  the  marching  was  bad ;  at  one  place  we  forded  a 
branch  and  the  road  ascended  a  steep  clay  hill,  the  wet 


ONE  OF  JACKSON'S  FOOT  CAVALRY     193 

shoes  of  the  soldier  after  coming  out  of  the  branch  and 
treading  on  the  clay  had  made  it  perfectly  slick,  and 
many  a  fall  was  the  consequence.  We  had  a  boy  recruit 
just  from  his  home  and  this  was  his  first  march.  He 
wore  wooden  bottom  shoes,  and,  poor  fellow,  he  slipped 
back  into  the  branch,  getting  out  a  step  or  two,  so  often 
that  some  of  his  comrades  finally  undertook  to  help  him. 
Frequently  they  went  with  him  two  or  three  yards  from 
the  branch,  when  he  would  commence  to  slip,  pulling 
them  all  back  together  into  the  water.  He  was  finally 
told  to  sit  down  on  the  road  side  until  daybreak,  when 
he  would  be  able  to  see  his  way,  and  could  then  join  us. 
This  he  did;  but  some  of  the  boys,  to  have  a  little  fun, 
told  him  that  the  Yankee  cavalry  were  marching  behind 
us,  and  as  soon  as  wre  got  a  little  way  from  him,  they 
wrould  come  along  and  take  him  prisoner.  Poor  little 
fellow,  he  commenced  to  cry  as  if  his  heart  would 
break.  This  little  fellow,  however,  made  his  mark  at 
the  Wilderness  battle  a  few  weeks  later.  I  saw  him 
blow  a  hole  through  a  Yankee,  who  was  at  the  muzzle 
of  his  gun,  during  the  attack  they  made  on  us. 

Early  the  next  morning  we  continued  the  march,  halted 
at  the  crossing  of  the  Germania  Road,  formed  a  line  of 
battle  across  the  road,  stacked  arms,  and  were  told  that 
we  might  rest ;  but  must  remain  near  our  guns.  It  was 
rumored  that  the  Yankee  cavalry  raiders  were  expected 
to  return  this  way  to  their  army,  and  we  were  there  to 
intercept  them.  We  remained  several  hours,  marched 
to  Chancellorsville,  and,  forming  a  line  across  a  road 
leading  to  one  of  the  fords,  stayed  there  several  hours; 
we  marched  back  to  the  Germania  Road,  where  we  re- 
mained all  night.  The  next  morning  we  again  marched 
to  Chancellorsville,   remaining  there  all  day  and  night. 


i94  ONE  OF  JACKSON'S  FOOT  CAVALRY 

We  were  called  out  of  camp  very  suddenly  on  the  after- 
noon of  the  2nd  on  this  expedition,  and  we  did  not  carry 
any  rations  with  us.  (Some  of  the  men  were  left  be- 
hind in  camp  to  cook  them  and  then  bring  them  to  us.) 
We  had  eaten  up  everything  in  camp  during  the  day, 
and  were  drawing  rations  for  supper  when  we  were 
ordered  off  on  the  march,  and  we  left  without  it.  The 
men  with  the  cooked  rations  joined  us  at  Chancellors- 
ville  on  the  morning  of  the  4th,  and  during  all  this  time 
very  few  of  us  had  anything  to  eat.  I  had  nothing,  and 
it  was  the  longest  time  I  went  without  eating  during  the 
war.  As  soon  as  we  finished  eating  what  the  men 
brought,  we  took  our  places  in  line,  and  the  next  morn- 
ing returned  to  Mt.  Pisgah;  the  raiders  having  returned 
to  their  army  by  another  route.  We  saw  at  Chancellors- 
ville  that  a  year's  time  had  not  healed  the  scars  of  the 
bloody  battle  fought  there,  the  ground  where  we  were 
being  literally  covered  with  human  bones  that  had  been 
scattered  about  since  the  shallow  burial  of  those  who 
fell  there.  It  was  an  awful  experience,  even  for  sol- 
diers, to  lie  down  for  rest  at  night,  after  scraping  the 
bones  away. 

The  night  of  the  5th  found  us  back  in  our  old  quar- 
ters, and  we  were  glad,  very  glad,  to  return  to  them, 
and  were  soon  comfortable. 

For  a  long  time  short  rations  were  issued  to  us,  and 
it  being  hard  to  divide  them  equally  among  the  mem- 
bers of  the  messes,  the  majority  of  the  messes  adopted 
a  system  that  gave  general  satisfaction.  After  the  ra- 
tions were  cooked,  they  were  divided  into  as  many  parts 
as  there  were  members  of  the  mess.  Each  of  these 
parts  was  piled  on  a  log  or  on  the  ground  in  a  row, 
and  one  member  of  the  mess  was  selected  to  turn  his 


ONE  OF  JACKSON'S  FOOT  CAVALRY     195 

back  to  the  piles  of  rations,  while  another  member 
pointed  his  finger  towards  one  of  the  piles  and  asked, 
"  Who  has  this?  "  The  man  with  his  back  towards  the 
piles  designated  one  of  the  mess  by  name,  who  immedi- 
ately took  it;  and  then  another  pile  was  disposed  of  in 
a  similar  way,  until  all  the  piles  were  taken.  Coffee 
was  not  included  in  this  method  of  distribution,  because 
it  was  given  us  in  the  grain  and  in  quantity  so  small 
that  the  grains  were  counted  out  to  each  man.  None 
but  the  Confederate  soldier  knows  how  they  lived.  For 
months  we  had  not  had  a  full  ration,  and  the  rations 
became  more  scanty  as  the  war  continued,  and  after  this 
time  we  never  received  as  much  as  we  wanted  to  eat, 
unless  we  captured  it  from  the  enemy. 

The  regular  rations  allowed  by  army  regulations  were 
not  suffiicient,  but  we  did  not  get  the  regular  allowance 
even  at  the  beginning  of  the  war,  when  everything  was 
plentiful.  Here  is  the  allowance  of  rations  for  men  in 
the  field  — ■  for  each  man  : 

2   lb.  bacon  or  beef  —  daily. 

li  lbs.  flour  or  corn  meal  —  daily,  or  1  lb.  hard  bread. 

For  one  hundred  men : 

8  qts.  of  pease  or  10  lbs.  of  rice. 

4  qts.  of  vinegar. 

ii  lbs.  tallow  candles. 

4  lbs.  soap. 

2  qts.  salt. 

6  lbs.  sugar. 

While  we  were  in  this  camp  we  received  some  of  the 
Telescope  rifles,  which  were  entrusted  to  a  select  body 
of  men.  On  suitable  occasions  the  men  practiced  shoot- 
ing with  them.  At  one  of  those  practices  they  stood  on 
one  hill  and  shot  at  a  target  about  half  a  mile  off  on 


196  ONE  OF  JACKSON'S  FOOT  CAVALRY 

another  hill.  The  bottom  between  those  hills  was  used 
as  a  grazing  place  for  horses  and  mules  belonging  to 
our  wagon  train,  and  during  the  shooting,  they  acci- 
dentally killed  one  of  the  mules.  That  mule  was  very 
fat,  and  not  long  after  it  was  killed  some  of  the  men 
cut  chunks  of  meat  from  him  and  carried  them  into 
camp  to  be  cooked  and  eaten.  Some  officer  learning  of 
this,  had  a  guard  stationed  during  the  day  near  the  mule 
to  prevent  it.  That  night  many  had  mule  steak  for  sup- 
per. We  are  now  in  a  bad  plight  for  cooking  utensils ; 
spiders  are  scarce,  also  frying  pans ;  hardly  a  boiler  and 
all  the  pans  to  make  the  bread  in  are  gone ;  we  make  the 
bread  in  the  spiders  and  frying  pans,  oilcloths,  and  dur- 
ing the  time  of  year  that  the  bark  of  the  trees  would 
slip  we  get  an  excellent  tray  by  peeling  the  bark  from 
a  tree. 

We  enjoyed  this  camp,  as  the  quarters  were  the  most 
comfortable  we  had  during  the  war.  The  men  really 
enjoyed  the  rest  and  the  longest  ever  spent.  There  was 
more  sociability  here  than  I  ever  saw  in  camp.  I  en- 
joyed visiting  Clark's  Mountain,  a  mound  rising  several 
hundred  feet  above  the  surrounding  country,  and  im- 
mediately on  the  Rapidan  River.  From  its  top,  which 
was  about  three  miles  from  our  camp,  I  could  see  the 
camps  of  many  of  the  enemy  in  Culpeper  County;  also 
I  had  an  extensive  view  of  the  surrounding  country. 
We  had  a  signal  station  on  its  top,  and  sometimes  I  had 
an  opportunity  to  look  through  the  glass  at  the  Yankee 
camps. 

One  of  the  incidents  I  witnessed  while  in  this  camp 
was  changing  the  clothing  of  one  of  our  men  confined 
in  the  guard  house,  who  was  handcuffed.  He  desired 
to  put  on  a  clean  shirt,  and  as  he  was  not  allowed  to 


ONE  OF  JACKSON'S  FOOT  CAVALRY  197 

take  off  the  cuffs,  he  went  to  work,  took  off  his  soiled 
shirt,  and  then  put  on  the  clean  one,  the  handcuffs  not 
being  removed.  It,  however,  took  him  about  two  hours 
to  do  it. 

The  negroes  who  accompanied  their  masters  during 
the  war  were  a  source  of  much  merriment  as  well  as 
comfort  to  us.  I  recollect  the  experience  of  two  of  our 
negro  cooks  in  battle.  On  one  occasion  we  were  in 
line  of  battle  when  Archer,  a  cook  in  one  of  our  com- 
panies, came  to  the  front  with  his  master's  haversack 
of  rations.  We  were  taking  things  easy  at  the  time, 
some  lying  on  the  ground,  others  sitting  or  standing  up 
engaged  in  talking  over  the  impending  battle,  and  at  the 
sight  of  Archer  we  gave  him  a  hurrah  as  a  welcome. 
He  had  been  with  us  only  a  few  minutes,  when  the  en- 
emy made  an  advance  along  our  front  and  turned  our 
flank.  Fighting  became  warm,  and  we  had  a  hot  time 
before  we  succeeded  in  driving  them  back ;  but  follow- 
ing up  our  success,  we  drove  the  enemy  from  the  field 
of  battle.  Archer  was  caught  in  the  fight,  and  when 
night  came  and  we  were  joined  by  the  cooks,  he  had  a 
splendid  account  to  tell  his  companions  of  the  part  he 
took  in  the  battle.  He  told  them  he  took  the  gun  of 
one  of  our  dead,  and  fought  side  by  side  with  "  Marse 
Jim,"  and  he  "  knows  I  killed  a  dozen  Yankees.  Oh,  you 
ought  just  to  have  see  me  in  the  charge!  Me  and  '  Marse 
Jim'  just  whipped  them  clean  out!"  This  account  of 
Archer's  made  a  hero  of  him  in  the  estimation  of  his 
friends,  and  so  impressed  them  that  one  of  their  num- 
ber, Ned,  made  up  his  mind  then  and  there  to  go  into 
the  next  battle,  and  see  if  he  could  eclipse  Archer's  ac- 
count !  Ned  did  not  have  long  to  wait,  as  we  met  our 
old  enemy  again  some  weeks  later,  when  a  line  of  battle 
was   formed  in  a  wood.     Ned  was   in  it,  with  gun  in 


198  ONE  OF  JACKSON'S  FOOT  CAVALRY 

hand.  He  had  a  large  knapsack  strapped  to  his  back, 
filled  to  overflowing  with  articles  from  many  a  battle- 
field, which  he  had  been  carrying  for  a  month  or  more, 
with  the  hope  of  sending  it  to  his  wife  by  some  soldier 
who  was  going  to  his  neighborhood.  Besides  the  knap- 
sack he  had  one  or  more  haversacks  filled  in  same  man- 
ner, and  his  canteen! 

When  we  received  orders  to  move  forward,  Ned 
marched  boldly  in  our  midst,  and  when  we  reached  the 
edge  of  the  woods  the  enemy  opened  on  us, —  a 
spent  ball  hitting  Ned  squarely  in  the  forehead,  raising 
a  knot  as  large  as  a  hen's  egg  in  a  few  minutes !  As 
soon  as  Ned  was  struck  he  was  seen  to  halt,  his  mouth 
flew  open,  his  eyes  bulged,  and  he  made  a  movement  as 
if  he  was  going  to  run.  but  the  men  steadied  him  by  tell- 
ing him  that  Archer  was  knocked  down  several  times  by 
balls,  and  he  got  up  and  killed  the  man  who  had  shot  him ! 
In  our  advance  we  crossed  a  fence  and  started  across 
a  field.  A  man  at  Ned's  side  was  shot  down.  Ned 
started  and  stopped  at  the  sight,  his  gun  fell  from  his 
hand,  a  ball  went  over  his  shoulder,  cut  the  strap  on 
his  knapsack,  and,  as  it  turned,  Ned  slipped  out  of  it, 
letting  it  fall  to  the  ground ;  at  the  same  time  disengag- 
ing his  haversack  and  canteen,  pulled  off  his  coat,  dropped 
it,  too,  brushed  off  his  hat,  wheeled  and  broke  for  the 
rear  like  a  quarter  horse,  amidst  the  yells  of  our  men! 
This  was  a  sore  subject  ever  after  for  Ned.  Not  that  he 
ran  away, — -  but  losing  all  those  things  he  had  been  sav- 
ing to  send  to  Sally!  And  he  would  not  believe  a  word 
of  Archer's  tale! 

Here  is  another  tale  of  the  negro,  showing  the  feeling 
the  southerner  had  for  him.  My  mess,  of  about  half  a 
dozen,  had  built  for  winter  quarters  a  log  pen  about  two 
feet  high;  on  this  they  erected  their  tent,  and  at  one 


ONE  OF  JACKSON'S  FOOT  CAVALRY     199 

end  we  had  an  excellent  log  chimney.  This  made  us 
very  comfortable.  We  had  a  negro  slave  as  cook,  who 
stayed  about  our  tent  during  the  day,  but  slept  in  a  cabin 
with  other  negroes.  He  was  taken  sick  with  measles ; 
we  made  him  leave  his  quarters  and  come  and  stay  in 
our  tent,  where  we  cooked  for  him  and  nursed  him  until 
he  was  well. 

I  tried  to  keep  clean  while  in  the  army,  and  made  it  a 
rule  to  take  a  bath  once  a  week  and  oftener  when  con- 
venient; this  included  winter  as  well  as  summer.  It 
looked  very  formidable  to  take  a  bath  on  some  of  those 
cold  and  stormy  days  which  we  had  in  the  army,  but  it 
was  more  in  looks  than  in  the  reality.  Here  is  a  winter's 
day  experience  in  this  camp.  One  day  about  noon  the 
sun  shining  brightly  and  little  wind  stirring,  I  thought 
I  would  take  my  bath.  I  walked  over  to  Madison  Run, 
a  large  stream  about  half  a  mile  from  camp.  I  found 
the  stream  frozen  over  solid.  I  got  a  large  rock,  walked 
to  the  middle  of  the  stream,  raised  the  rock  over  my 
head,  and  hurled  it  with  all  my  force  on  the  ice,  but  it 
made  no  impression.  I  repeated  this  eight  or  ten  times 
without  breaking  the  ice.  I  then  returned  to  camp,  got 
an  ax,  went  back  to  the  run,  cut  a  large  hole  in  the 
ice,  which  was  about  seven  inches  thick,  cleared  the  hole 
of  all  floating  ice,  undressed,  took  a  good  bath,  dressed, 
and  when  I  returned  to  camp  was  in  fine  condition. 

It  had  been  rumored  in  camp  for  several  weeks  that 
Gen.  Grant  had  command  of  the  army  of  the  Potomac, 
our  old  enemy,  and  from  indications  in  his  camp  it  was 
supposed  he  intended  to  make  a  move  soon.  In  antici- 
pation of  this,  Johnson's  division  broke  up  winter  quar- 
ters on  May  2,  and  marched  to  Rartley's  Mill  on  the 
Rapidan  for  better  observation,  and  to  be  in  better  place 
to  guard  our  line. 


XXIII 


THE    WILDERNESS 


On  the  morning  of  May  4th,  1864,  Johnson's  divi- 
sion left  Hartley's  Mill  and  marched  to  Locust  Grove 
and  proceeded  along  the  Stone  road  towards  Fred- 
ericksburg nearly  all  night,  then  halted,  and  rested 
on  the  side  of  the  road.  Gen.  Ewell,  who  had  been 
riding  at  the  head  of  the  column,  lay  down  beside  a  log 
not  more  than  ten  yards  from  me. 

As  the  streaks  of  day  were  just  beginning  to  show 
themselves,  we  were  ordered  to  fall  in,  and  resumed  our 
march.  We  had  gone  only  a  short  distance  when  the 
stillness  in  our  front  was  broken  by  the  sound  of  a  drum, 
and  the  sweet  notes  of  music  from  a  band.  Every  man 
clutched  his  gun  more  tightly,  as  the  direction  of  the 
music  told  him  that  the  enemy  were  in  front.  There 
was  no  need  of  urging  us  to  hurry,  no  need  to  inquire 
what  it  meant.  All  knew  now  that  Grant  had  crossed 
the  Rapidan,  and  soon  the  tumult  of  battle  would  be- 
gin. The  march  continued,  the  command  was  "  Close 
up,"  soon  the  order,  "Halt!  Load  your  guns!"  then 
"  Shoulder  arms !  March !  "  Soon  a  line  of  battle  was 
formed  by  the  Second  Brigade  which  was  in  front,  the 
21st  Va.  Regt.  on  the  left  of  the  Stone  road,  the  re- 
mainder of  the  brigade  on  the  right  of  that  road.  The 
order  "Forward!"  was  given,— •  we  moved  forward 
through  wood  and  brush !  We  were  in  the  wilderness ! 
with  a  tumult  that  seemed  to  come  from  the  infernal 
regions,  we  were  assailed  by  the  enemy !  As  soon  as  the 
lifting  of  the  smoke  enabled  us  to  see,   we  discovered 

200 


ONE  OF  JACKSON'S  FOOT  CAVALRY  20 1 

that  the  portion  of  our  brigade  which  was  on  the  right 
of  the  road  had  been  swept  away;  there  were  no  Con- 
federates in  sight  except  our  regiment.  We  broke  the 
enemy's  line  in  our  front,  and  made  no  halt  in  our  ad- 
vance,—  on  we  went,  shooting  as  fast  as  we  could  load ! 
Suddenly  I  was  confronted  by  a  gun,  resting  on  a  big 
stump,  and  behind  the  stump  we  saw  a  Yank !  We  hal- 
looed to  him  to  throw  his  gun  down,  several  of  us  took 
aim  at  him;  he  started  to  rise,  but  before  he  could  do 
so,  a  little  boy  on  my  left  who  had  also  taken  aim  at  him, 
pulled  the  trigger,  and  at  the  crack  of  his  gun  the  Yan- 
kee fell  dead !  This  was  the  little  fellow  who  was  wear- 
ing wooden  bottom  shoes,  whom  we  left  on  the  road 
one  night  a  few  weeks  before  crying,  because  he  could  not 
keep  up  with  us  on  the  march.  We  captured  many 
prisoners ;  behind  every  tree  and  stump  were  several  who 
seemed  to  remain  there  in  preference  to  running  the 
gauntlet  of  our  fire.  We  advanced  to  a  dense  pine 
thicket  and  halted,  every  man  falling  fiat  on  the  ground 
at  once  for  protection !  We  could  see  troops  coming  to 
our  assistance,  and  the  line  on  our  left  was  extended 
by  the  Third  Brigade,  one  of  its  regiments  halting  di- 
rectly in  our  rear,  where  they  lay  down,  too !  On  our 
right  the  woods  were  large  and  open,  and  for  some  reason 
the  enemy  had  disappeared  from  it.  An  explanation 
of  this  was  given  in  the  report  of  Maj.  Meret  C.  Walsh, 
"  7  Indiana  Inf.,  in  Vol.  34,  page  617,  War  Records." 
He  says,  "  We  charged  the  rebel  line,  capturing  the  colors 
of  the  50th  Va.  Regt.,  and  nearly  two  hundred  prisoners, 
but  being  flanked  on  the  right,  were  forced  to  retire 
from  the  field,  and  return  to  the  breastworks." 

The  force  on  the  right  was  the  21st  Va.  Regt!  It 
will  be  seen  that  we  not  only  drove  those  in  front,  but 
cleared  the  enemy  from  the  field  on  the  right  of  the  road. 


202  ONE  OF  JACKSON'S  FOOT  CAVALRY 

The  pine  thicket  in  our  front  was  so  dense  that  we 
could  not  see  into  it  twenty  feet,  but  we  heard  the  enemy 
talking.  My  company  was  near  the  road  and  I,  wish- 
ing to  see  what  was  going  on  in  front,  ran  across  the 
road  to  the  top  of  the  elevation,  and  to  the  front.  What 
a  sight  met  my  gaze !  Obliquely  across  the  road  and 
just  behind  the  pine  thicket,  the  enemy  was  massed  in 
a  small  field.  I  looked  down  the  road  and  saw  two 
pieces  of  artillery  coming  up  in  a  run,  and  at  this  time 
I  perceived  that  I  in  turn  was  seen,  and  guns  were  lev- 
eled at  me!  I  took  shelter  behind  a  big  tree,  just  as 
Cumbia  of  our  company  came  running  to  me !  They 
fired  a  hundred  shots,  and  Cumbia  fell  shot  through  the 
body!     He  was  as  gallant  a  soldier  as  any  in  our  army. 

I  ran  back  to  my  company,  and  seeing  the  colonel  of 
the  regiment  of  the  Third  Brigade  who  was  with  us,  I 
informed  him  of  the  position  of  affairs  in  front.  He 
gave  the  order  at  once,  "  Forward,  men!  " —  the  two  reg- 
iments jumped  to  their  feet  and  advanced,  the  whole  of 
the  Third  Brigade  taking  part.  Through  the  thicket 
we  went,  coming  upon  the  mass  of  the  enemy,  the  bat- 
tle raging  again  more  fiercely  than  before!  With  a  yell 
we  were  on  them,  front  and  flank !  They  gave  ground 
and  then  ran !  Such  a  yell  then  went  up  as  fairly  shook 
the  ground !  Hurrah !  the  cannon  are  ours,  we  capturing 
both  pieces.  The  enemy  in  their  flight  had  crossed  to 
the  right  of  the  road,  and  we  followed  through  the  field 
about  two  hundred  yards  into  the  woods ;  here  we  halted 
and  were  ordered  back.  In  retiring  through  the  field, 
we  discovered  a  body  of  the  enemy  in  the  woods  on  our 
left;  the  21st  Va.  Regt.  immediately  wheeled  and  poured 
a  hot  fire  into  them !  They  disappeared  in  great  dis- 
order, we  resuming  our  march  across  the  field,  and 
halting  as  soon  as  we  reached  the  wood  on  the  east  side. 


ONE  OF  JACKSON'S  FOOT  CAVALRY     203 

The  21st  Va.  Regt.  taking  position  there  and  on  the  right 
of  the  Stone  road,  commenced  to  fire  slowly  at  the  enemy, 
who  had  taken  position  on  the  west  side  of  this  field. 
Here  we  were  joined  by  the  remainder  of  the  Second 
Brigade. 

We  were  then  treated  to  a  rare  sight !  Running  mid- 
way across  the  little  field  was  a  gully  that  had  been 
washed  by  the  rains.  In  their  retreat,  many  of  the  en- 
emy went  into  this  gully  for  a  protection  from  our  fire, 
and  when  we  advanced  to  it,  we  ordered  them  out  and  to 
the  rear;  all  came  out  except  one,  who  had  hidden  under 
an  overhanging  bank,  and  was  overlooked.  When  we 
fell  back  across  the  field  the  Yankees,  who  followed  us 
to  the  edge  of  the  woods,  shot  at  us  as  we  crossed.  One 
of  our  men,  thinking  the  fire  too  warm,  dropped  into  the 
gully  for  protection.  It  will  be  noticed  that  there  were 
then  a  Yankee  and  a  Confederate  in  the  gully,  and  each 
was  ignorant  of  the  presence  of  the  other!  xAfter  a 
while  they  commenced  to  move  about  in  the  gully,  there 
being  no  danger  as  long  as  they  did  not  show  themselves. 
Soon  they  came  in  view  of  each  other,  and  commenced  to 
banter  one  another.  Then  they  decided  that  they  would 
go  into  the  road  and  have  a  regular  fist  and  skull  fight, 
the  best  man  to  have  the  other  as  his  prisoner.  When 
the  two  men  came  into  the  road  about  midway  between 
the  lines  of  battle,  in  full  view  of  both  sides  around  the 
field,  one  a  Yankee,  the  other  "  a  Johnny, "  while  both 
sides  were  firing,  they  surely  created  a  commotion !  This 
was  true  in  our  line  and  I  suppose  in  the  enemy's  line, 
because  both  sides  ceased  firing!  When  the  two  men 
took  off  their  coats  and  commenced  to  fight  with  their 
fists,  a  yell  went  up  along  each  line,  and  men  rushed  to 
the  edge  of  the  opening  for  a  better  view!  The 
"  Johnny  "  soon  had  the  "  Yank  "  down,  who  surren- 


204  ONE  OF  JACKSON'S  FOOT  CAVALRY 

dered,  and  both  quietly  rolled  into  the  gully,  where  they 
remained  until  night,  when  "  the  Johnny  "  brought  "  the 
Yank  "  into  our  line.  The  disappearance  of  the  two 
men  was  the  signal  for  the  resumption  of  firing!  Such 
is  war! 

We  remained  in  this  position  two  or  three  hours,  and 
marched  across  the  road  and  took  position  immediately 
on  its  left,  and  about  two  hundred  yards  in  the  rear  of 
the  line  of  breastworks  that  wras  occupied  by  the  Third 
Brigade.  Slight  firing  continued  all  day,  and  as  night 
approached  everything  became  quiet.  We  were  ordered 
to  rest  for  the  night  on  our  arms. 

I  was  aroused  about  midnight  to  take  a  verbal  order 
to  the  officer  in  our  front  on  the  skirmish  line,  which  was 
on  the  outskirts  of  the  pine  thicket.  I  was  instructed 
to  leave  my  arms,  etc.,  take  my  time,  and  make  as  little 
noise  as  possible.  The  night  was  dark  and  the  pine 
thicket  so  dark  that  I  could  almost  feel  the  darkness. 
Moving  carefully,  and  thinking  that  I  was  getting  on 
splendidly  in  perfect  silence,  I  was  thrown  down  with 
such  a  rattling  noise  as  to  awaken  everybody  in  the 
neighborhood !  Shooting  commenced  from  the  Yankees 
at  once!  They  fired  hundreds  of  shots  in  the  thicket, 
and  I  lay  perfectly  still  until  quiet  was  restored.  When 
I  sat  up  and  felt  around  to  see  what  caused  me  to  fall, 
my  hand  came  into  contact  with  a  saber  which  I  found 
belted  to  a  dead  man ;  this  saber  caught  between  my  legs, 
threw  me;  it  rattling  against  the  man's  canteen,  as  well  as 
my  falling  amongst  the  pine  twigs,  was  the  big  noise  in 
the  night.  Fully  reassured  I  proceeded,  found  the  officer, 
and  delivered  the  order.  He  was  an  old  friend  and  in- 
quired what  I  made  so  much  noise  for !  My  explanation, 
a  laugh,  a  caution  to  me  not  to  repeat  it,  a  good-night 


ONE  OF  JACKSON'S  FOOT  CAVALRY     205 

were  given,  and  I  started  to  our  line,  shaping  my  course 
as  well  as  I  could,  so  as  to  find  my  dead  man  again. 
Fortune  favored  me.  I  found  him,  took  his  sword,  and 
then  felt  in  his  pockets  for  what  he  had!  I  found  a 
knife,  a  pipe  and  a  piece  of  string,  and  in  every  pocket, 
even  to  the  one  in  his  shirt,  he  had  smoking  tobacco !  I 
had  to  take  an  order  to  the  front  again  at  daybreak,  and 
on  my  return,  looked  for  my  man  again  and  saw  that  he 
was  a  Yankee  lieutenant.  Soon  after  this  the  enemy 
assailed  our  position  furiously  with  shot  and  shell  for  a 
short  time,  and  then  quiet  was  restored,  lasting  in  our 
front  the  remainder  of  the  day,  with  now  and  then  a 
skirmish  fire. 

On  the  morning  of  the  7th  the  Second  Brigade 
marched  by  the  flank  to  the  extreme  left  of  Gen.  Lee's 
line,  and  there  took  a  small  country  road  through  the 
woods  towards  one  of  the  fords  at  which  Grant  crossed 
the  Rapidan.  After  going  some  distance  we  halted, 
formed  a  line  of  battle,  a  few  pieces  of  artillery  that  ac- 
companied us  unlimbered,  loaded  and  were  ordered  to 
fire  through  the  woods  in  the  direction  of  the  ford.  The 
firing  was  fast  for  a  short  time.  The  artillery  then  lim- 
bered up,  we  returned  by  the  same  road,  and  resumed  our 
place  in  line  with  our  division.  We  did  not  know  what 
this  movement  was  for,  until  a  few  days  later  when  we 
learned  that  it  was  a  feint  on  Grant's  communications. 
It  is  said  that  it  made  a  great  commotion  in  his  army. 

The  giants  had  met  and  Grant  was  badly  worsted  in 
his  first  encounter!  His  loss  was  great.  All  along  Lee's 
line  he  had  been  repulsed !  In  the  little  field  in  our  front 
the  ground  was  literally  covered  with  his  dead!  Our 
loss  was  severe,  nearly  all  of  that  splendid  regiment,  the 
25th  Va.  of  our  brigade,  having  been  captured.    F.  Com- 


206  ONE  OF  JACKSON'S  FOOT  CAVALRY 

pany  had  amongst  the  wounded  G.  W.  Brown,  L.  M. 
Couch,  N.  A.  Dowdy,  A.  C.  Legg  and  H.  Smith,  and  \Y. 
D.  Cumbia  was  killed.  Among  the  killed  in  the  division 
were  those  splendid  soldiers,  Brigadier  General  Stafford 
of  the  Louisiana  brigade,  and  Brig.  Gen.  J.  M.  Jones  of 
our  brigade.  Gen.  Jones  was  a  strict  disciplinarian,  and 
inaugurated  several  plans  for  the  benefit  of  his  men. 
According  to  my  information,  he  was  the  only  officer 
who  made  the  men  take  care  of  themselves  as  far  as  they 
could.  Fie  allowed  no  straggling,  even  the  musicians 
had  to  march  in  their  places,  and  if  he  saw  the  men  be- 
coming weary  or  fagged,  he  ordered  every  musician  to 
the  head  of  the  brigade.  One  of  the  regiments  had  a 
very  good  band,  the  others  had  small  drum  corps ;  all 
together  they  were  a  considerable  company  of  musicians. 
The  general  directed  the  band  to  play  a  short  time,  and 
then  the  drum  corps  would  play, —  with  four  or  five  bass 
drums  and  ten  to  twelve  kettle  drums  and  twelve  to  fif- 
teen fifes,  they  made  a  big  noise,  and  always  received  the 
hearty  approval  of  the  men!  It  was  noticeable  that  the 
men  began  to  close  up,  take  step  with  the  music,  and 
march  several  miles  in  this  way,  feeling  refreshed. 

Always  on  a  march  when  we  reached  a  stream  that 
must  be  forded,  if  the  water  came  below  the  knee,  every 
man  and  officer  who  was  walking  was  required  to  take 
off  his  shoes  and  socks  and  roll  his  pants  up  above  his 
knees.  If  the  water  was  deep  enough  to  reach  above 
the  knees,  all  were  required  to  strip;  thus  when  we 
crossed  the  stream  we  had  dry  clothes.  This  was  a  great 
comfort  to  the  men,  but  none  of  them  would  do  it  un- 
less compelled.  The  men  of  our  brigade  sometimes  tried 
to  evade  it.  Gen.  Jones  usually  caught  them,  and  woe 
unto  the  man  who  was  caught,  whether  officer  or  private ! 


ONE  OF  JACKSON'S  FOOT  CAVALRY  207 

He  received  a  severe  reprimand,  and  one  of  his  staff 
marched  him  back  across  the  stream,  and  saw  that  he 
stripped  and  then  forded  according  to  orders. 

Well  do  I  remember  a  laughable  occurrence  at  Front 
Royal.  In  one  of  our  marches  through  the  town  after 
the  bridges  over  the  Shenandoah  river  had  been  burned, 
the  citizens  desired  to  see  the  soldiers  ford  the  river. 
Our  brigade  was  in  the  front  of  the  army  that  day,  and 
when  we  reached  the  river  the  hill  around  the  ford  was 
covered  with  citizens,  mostly  women  and  children.  Gen. 
Jones  and  staff  had  ridden  into  the  water  to  allow  their 
horses  to  drink;  the  colonel  at  the  head  of  the  column 
gave  the  order  to  halt,  he  then  looked  at  the  hill  and  then 
at  Gen.  Jones,  and  then  looked  at  the  men ;  the  men  did 
the  same  thing.  The  General  looked  up,  and  not  seeing 
the  men  making  preparation  for  fording,  he  called  to  the 
colonel  to  know  why  the  men  did  not  strip  and  come 
along.  The  colonel  looked  again  at  the  hill  and  the 
men,  and  then  gave  the  command  in  a  loud  voice.  "  Strip, 
men,  and  be  ready  to  ford !  "  The  men  hesitated,  but 
the  general  now  hallooed  to  them  to  strip  at  once.  This 
we  commenced  to  do,  and  several  of  the  men  had  their 
pants  off  before  the  citizens  were  aware  of  what  was 
going  on.  Then  over  the  hill  they  went,  pell  mell, 
amidst  a  general  yell  from  the  men !  They  did  not  see 
us  ford  the  river  that  day ! 


XXIV 


SPOTTSYLVANIA  C.   H. 


On  the  morning  of  May  8th,  1864,  the  Second  Corps, 
the  Second  Brigade  in  front,  marched  from  the  left 
of  Lee's  line  to  the  right  of  his  line  in  the  Wilderness. 
As  we  passed  along  the  rear  of  the  army,  occasional 
Yankee  cannon  shot  passed  over  us,  and  occasionally  a 
musket  ball.  When  on  reaching  the  right  of  Lee's  line 
we  continued  our  march  in  the  same  direction  until 
we  came  to  woods  on  fire.  Several  miles  our  course 
was  through  this  fire,  at  times  the  heat  was  intense,  and 
the  smoke  suffocating!  The  men  were  very  uneasy  all 
the  time,  fearing  an  explosion  of  their  cartridges.  We 
finally  emerged  from  the  woods  into  a  fair  road,  which 
carried  us  by  Todd's  tavern  and  a  mill.  We  had  left  the 
mill  behind  us  several  miles,  and  overtook  some  of  our 
cavalry,  who,  since  it  was  then  two  or  three  o'clock  in  the 
afternoon,  informed  us  that  they  were  mighty  glad  to 
see  us,  because  they  had  been  all  day  fighting  Yankees, 
who  were  not  far  ahead.  We  heard  the  musketry,  and 
the  order  was  given  to  "  close  up" ;  we  marched  along 
the  road  for  about  half  a  mile,  when  we  filed  to  the  left 
and  marched  in  various  directions,  sometimes  at  a  snail's 
pace  and  then  in  a  run !  We  stood  seemingly  for  hours, 
and  finally  at  a  double  quick  were  thrown  into  line  of 
battle  at  Spottsylvania  C.  H.  This  was  just  about  sun- 
set. We  did  not  become  engaged,  but  heard  the  enemy 
taking  position,  too.  About  eight  or  nine  o'clock  our 
line  was  moved  about  thirty  or  forty  feet  to  the  front, 

zo8 


ONE  OF  JACKSON'S  FOOT  CAVALRY     209 

and  as  we  were  in  the  presence  of  the  enemy  it  was  neces- 
sary to  use  strategy.  The  markers  were  taken  to  the  new 
line  and  the  officers  in  forming  an  alignment  called  out: 
"John  "  or  "  Bob,"  who  answered,  "  Where  are  you?  " 
The  officer  in  reply  indicated  a  step  or  two  to  his  right 
or  left,  as  the  direction  and  distance  he  wished  the 
marker  to  go,  when  the  marker  made  the  necessary 
change  of  position,  and  the  line  quietly  dressed  on  him. 
In  this  way  the  line  was  finally  formed,  and  we  lay  on 
our  arms  for  the  night.  Early  in  the  morning  of  the  9th 
we  moved  farther  to  our  right,  Johnson's  division  oc- 
cupying the  right  of  Lee's  line.  The  Stonewall  Brigade 
was  on  the  left  of  the  division,  the  Louisiana  Brigade 
next  on  its  right,  the  Second  Brigade  next,  and  the  Third 
Brigade  next ;  they  occupying  the  right  of  the  division 
and  also  of  the  army.  The  Second  Brigade  occupied 
what  is  known  as  the  "  Bloody  Angle,"  my  regiment,  the 
21st  Va.,  being  near  the  toe  of  the  horseshoe,  as  it  is 
often  called.  As  soon  as  our  line  was  formed  we  began 
to  throw  up  breastworks.  After  our  brigade  finished 
their  works,  our  regiment  secured  a  few  axes  and  com- 
menced to  cut  down  the  pine  bushes  that  ran  nearly  up 
to  our  line  at  this  point.  While  we  were  thus  engaged, 
the  Yankees  opened  fire  on  our  line  from  several  batter- 
ies, and  we  took  refuge  at  once  in  our  breastworks, 
which  the  21st  Va.  Regt.  found  to  be  no  protection,  since 
the  angle  was  so  abrupt  that  the  enemy  threw  their  shell 
in  our  rear,  as  well  as  in  our  front !  As  soon  as  they 
ceased  firing,  we  went  to  work  and  made  regular  pens 
large  enough  to  hold  eight  to  ten  men  each,  thus  protect- 
ing ourselves  in  all  directions.  Our  regiment,  the  21st 
Va.,  had  just  finished  the  pens  and  the  men  were  taking 
places  in  them,  when  an  order  came  from  the  division 


210  ONE  OF  JACKSON'S  FOOT  CAVALRY 

commander  for  us  to  report  to  Gen.  Geo.  H.  Stewart, 
•who  commanded  the  Third  Brigade  of  our  division.  All 
the  men  and  officers  of  our  regiment  protested  against 
this  order.  We  had  never  fired  a  gun  from  behind  a 
breastwork  and  these  were  made  so  much  better  than 
any  we  had  ever  made,  we  desired  to  have  the  honor  of 
defending  them!  We  were  compelled  to  go,  nevertheless; 
we  left  our  pens  with  many  a  grumble,  and  reported  to 
Gen.  Stewart,  who  sent  us  about  three-quarters  of  a  mile 
to  the  front.  We  halted  in  a  large  wood,  on  the  south 
side  of  a  small  branch,  and  formed  a  skirmish  line  along 
this  branch.  The  left  of  the  line  ran  a  short  distance 
along  the  border  of  a  field,  the  remainder  of  the  line 
straight  through  the  wood,  and  ended  along  the  border 
of  another  field.  About  one-third  of  the  regiment  was 
placed  on  the  line,  the  remainder  took  a  position  about 
two  hundred  yards  in  the  rear  of  the  center  and  was 
held  as  a  reserve  and  also  a  relief.  One  of  F  Company 
was  detailed  to  take  orders  along  the  line,  and  to  the  regi- 
ment. No  enemy  as  yet  had  been  seen,  but  about  half 
an  hour  after  the  line  had  been  formed  there  came  a  mes- 
sage along  the  line,  saying,  "  The  Yankees  have  made 
their  appearance  and  are  moving  to  the  left ;  "  that  is  our 
right.  Late  in  the  evening  their  skirmishers  advanced 
within  range,  in  front  of  our  left,  and  skirmishing  con- 
tinued until  night.  During  the  night  other  companies 
from  our  regiment  relieved  those  on  the  skirmish  line ; 
and  when  morning  came,  we  found  that  the  enemy  had 
moved  far  enough  to  their  left  to  come  in  contact  with 
our  right,  where  skirmishing  was  kept  up  all  day,  with 
an  occasional  shot  on  our  left.  The  enemy  had  not  made 
their  appearance  before  our  center.  Heavy  fighting  oc- 
curred along  the  line  of  breastworks  during  the  day,  to 


ONE  OF  JACKSON'S  FOOT  CAVALRY     211 

our  left.  The  breastworks  occupied  by  Dole's  Brigade 
and  a  company  of  Richmond  Howitzers,  just  to  the  left 
of  the  Stonewall  Brigade  of  our  division,  were  captured 
by  the  enemy ;  but  troops  near-by  were  hurried  to  that 
point,  and  as  soon  as  they  could  be  formed  in  line,  the  or- 
der was  given  to  charge,  and  drive  the  Yanks  out!  This 
was  done  quickly  and  our  line  was  reestablished.  In  this 
charge  a  portion  of  the  Second  Brigade  participated,  and 
were  among  the  first  to  plant  our  standard  on  our  breast- 
works again.  On  the  nth  an  occasional  shot  was  fired 
from  their  extreme  left,  and  right  of  our  regiment  skir- 
mish line,  and  we  could  hear  some  heavy  fighting  along 
the  line  of  battle  on  our  left.  Soon  after  dark  the  Yan- 
kees commenced  to  move  in  front  of  our  skirmish  line, — 
we  could  hear  the  rumble  of  wheels  and  the  noise  of 
marching  and  the  command  to  "  close  up,"  and  it  was 
far  in  the  night  before  the  sounds  ceased.  This  was  the 
prelude  to  an  attack  such  as  was  not  witnessed  during 
the  war,  and,  I  expect,  was  the  heaviest  attack  ever  made 
at  a  single  point  by  any  army  of  the  world !  It  seems 
that  Gen.  Hancock,  with  his  corps  of  25,000  men,  con- 
sisting of  four  divisions,  eighty-five  regiments  of  infan- 
try and  thirteen  batteries  of  artillery,  assisted  by  Wright's 
Sixth  corps  of  15,000  men,  Avas  ordered  to  break  our  line 
on  the  right.  During  the  night  of  the  nth  Gen.  Han- 
cock moved  this  force  to  the  front  of  the  skirmish  line 
of  the  2 1st  Va.  Regt,  and  formed  a  line  of  attack, — 
two  divisions  front,  the  regiments  massed,  double  columns 
on  center,  making  ten  or  twelve  lines  of  battle.  They 
were  ordered  to  move  right  ahead  at  the  firing  of  the 
signal  gun  at  4:30  a.  m. — -but  the  time  was  changed  to 
4:35  —  and  not  to  fire  a  shot  until  they  were  inside  of 
our  works.     Day  broke   on   the    12th   of   May   with   a 


212  ONE  OF  JACKSON'S  FOOT  CAVALRY 

heavy  fog,  drops  of  water  were  dripping  from  the  trees, 
as  if  after  a  rain.  I  had  started  from  the  reserve  of 
our  regiment  to  the  skirmish  line  with  an  order,  when  the 
stillness  was  broken  by  a  cannon  shot  and  the  scream- 
ing of  a  shell!  I  put  my  hands  instantly  to  my  head  to 
see  if  it  was  on  my  shoulders;  the  shell  seemed  to  come 
so  near  me  that  it  certainly  took  off  my  head!  (Such 
feelings  as  this  often  come  to  a  soldier!)  Recovering 
from  my  dazed  condition  I  proceeded.  Before  I 
reached  our  line  I  could  hear  the  sound  of  the  marching 
of  40,000  men,  and  soon  a  few  shots  from  our  skirmish 
line  on  the  left  put  all  on  the  watch.  I  saw  the  line  ap- 
proaching to  my  left,  ran  back  to  the  colonel  and  re- 
ported to  him ;  and  he  immediately  called  the  regiment  to 
attention.  By  this  time  the  enemy  had  approached  so 
near  that  the  regiment  could  see  them.  We  saw  their 
immense  numbers.  Some  of  the  skirmish  officers  ap- 
peared and  reported  to  the  colonel  that  the  enemy  had 
run  over  some  of  their  men,  that  they  seemed  to  pay  no 
attention  to  our  men,  and  that  the  body  was  the  largest 
they  ever  saw !  I  was  immediately  sent  out  on  the  line 
to  recall  all  the  skirmishers  whom  I  could  find ;  and  as 
soon  as  this  was  done,  we  faced  about  and  marched  to 
our  line  of  battle,  making  a  circuit  to  the  left  so  as  to 
avoid  the  enemy,  who  had  now  passed  between  us  and 
our  breastworks.  We  at  once  heard  heavy  fighting  in 
our  front.  As  soon  as  we  came  in  sight  of  a  field  the 
regiment  halted,  and  the  colonel  sent  me  forward  to  make 
a  recognizance.  Running  to  the  field,  I  saw  that  the 
farther  end  of  it  was  perfectly  blue  with  Yankees,  and 
saw  the  smoke  of  the  terrific  fighting  that  was  going  on 
further  off !  Running  back,  I  made  my  report  to  the 
colonel.     He  called  the  regiment  to  attention  and  made 


ONE  OF  JACKSON'S  FOOT  CAVALRY     213 

a  circuit  further  to  the  left.  This  was  the  second  and 
last  time  during  the  war  that  a  feeling  of  dread  came 
over  me  that  T  would  be  captured,  and  I  said  to  myself, 
"  Well,  old  fellow,  you  are  gone  this  time,  and  I  will  not 
give  ten  cents  for  your  chances  of  getting  away!"  I 
was  sent  forward  as  a  pilot,  and  in  a  short  time  an  old, 
ragged,  dirty  Confederate  rose  up  from  behind  a  bush 
in  my  front,  and  took  deliberate  aim  at  me  with  his 
musket.  I  cried,  "  Don't  shoot !  we  are  friends !  "  I 
saw  an  expression  of  doubt  on  the  old  fellow's  face, 
he  knowing  it  was  the  direction  of  the  enemy,  momentar- 
ily expected.  I  made  haste  to  exclaim  again  that  we 
were  skirmishers  driven  in,  and  were  the  21st  Va.  Regi- 
ment !  Men  rose  up  all  along  the  line,  and  I  knew  we 
were  in  front  of  a  Confederate  skirmish  line.  How  my 
heart  jumped !  I  felt  so  good  I  could  have  hugged  every 
one  of  them !  We  passed  through  their  line  and  soon 
reached  the  breastworks  occupied  by  Davis's  Brigade. 
While  our  regiment  was  at  the  front,  our  line  of  battle 
was  extended  to  the  right  by  troops  from  Hill's  corps, 
and  this  was  a  part  of  his  line.  We  went  to  the  rear 
and  reported  to  Gen.  Ewell,  who  informed  us  that  our 
division  had  been  captured  and  that  he  thought  we  had 
been  captured  too.  This  was  a  terrible  blow  to  the 
army,  the  capture  of  Johnson's  division!  —  this  was 
Jackson's  old  division,  and  those  were  the  men  who  had 
done  so  much  fighting,  and  who  had  made  those  wonder- 
ful marches  for  him.  They  were  now  prisoners  in  the 
hands  of  the  Yankees.  The  number  was  small  it  is  true 
for  a  division,  but  they  were  such  trained  soldiers  that 
they  counted  as  many  in  a  fight.  Jackson's  old  division 
was  annihilated,  and  ceased  to  be  a  division  from  that 
date.     The  Old  Stonewall,  the  Second,  Third,  and  the 


214  ONE  OF  JACKSON'S  FOOT  CAVALRY 

Louisiana  Brigades  lost  their  organization  also.  Han- 
cock struck  the  breastworks  and  rushed  over  them,  his 
men  turning  to  the  right  and  left  after  getting  inside, 
and  took  our  division  in  the  rear.  The  artillery  that  was 
supporting  the  line  had  been  withdrawn  during  the  night, 
and  had  just  gotten  back,  when  the  attack  was  made,  and 
only  one  piece  had  time  to  get  into  position  and  fire  one 
shot  when  the  captain  said  he  heard  someone  in  his  rear 
say,  "  Don't  you  fire  that  piece !  "  and  on  looking  around, 
he  was  confronted  by  hundreds  of  Yankees.  They  cap- 
tured all  sixteen  pieces !  The  situation  seemed  so  criti- 
cal at  this  time,  that  "  Marse  Robert  "  came  to  the  front 
to  look  after  it;  he  sent  for  Brig.  Gen.  Gordon,  who  was 
in  command  of  the  reserves,  and  gave  him  directions 
about  bringing  them  up,  where  to  place  them,  etc.  Gor- 
don soon  had  them  in  line,  when  Gen.  Lee's  presence  was 
noticed  amongst  the  troops,  and  it  was  here  that  the 
men  showed  the  second  time  their  devotion  to  him.  A 
great  cry  went  up  from  them,  "  Gen.  Lee  to  the  rear! 
Gen.  Lee  to  the  rear!  If  Gen.  Lee  will  go  to  the  rear 
we  promise  to  drive  the  enemy  back!"  But  the  old 
hero  did  not  stir.  Gen.  Gordon  then  rode  to  him  and 
took  his  bridle  and  gently  led  him  to  the  rear,  saying  to 
him,  "  Those  are  Virginians  and  Georgians,  Gen.  Lee, 
and  they  will  do  their  duty!"  'Yes!  Yes!  we  will 
drive  the  Yankees  back,  if  Gen.  Lee  will  go  to  the  rear!  " 
was  the  cry  from  the  men,  many  of  whom  were  in  tears! 
And  well  did  they  redeem  their  word !  As  soon  as  the 
order  was  given,  "  Forward !  "  they  went,  and  it  was 
one  of  the  most  terrible  battles  of  the  war,  in  which  the 
slaughter  of  Hancock's  men,  who  were  hemmed  in  this 
angle,  was  so  great  that  it  received  its  name  of  "  The 
Bloody  Angle."     The  enemy  were  finally  driven  back, 


ONE  OF  JACKSON'S  FOOT  CAVALRY     215 

and  sought  refuge  in  a  part  of  our  captured  breastworks, 
where  they  were  compelled  to  stay.  The  men  of  the  re- 
serve covered  themselves  with  glory.  The  troops  who 
helped  them  shared  the  praise  with  them!  Gordon  was 
made  a  Major-General  at  once! 

All  this  had  taken  place  while  my  regiment  was  being 
driven  in,  and  while  it  was  at  the  rear.  We  were  given 
fresh  ammunition  and  ordered  to  the  front,  a  staff  of- 
ficer being  sent  with  us  to  show  to  us  our  position.  On 
arriving  at  the  designated  point,  we  formed  a  line  and 
advanced  through  a  large  wood,  and  soon  we  were  under 
fire;  but  the  undergrowth  prevented  us  from  seeing  the 
enemy.  We  advanced  until  we  came  to  a  small  bottom 
and  going  through  that,  reached  the  rise  and  plainly  saw 
the  Yankees  about  one  hundred  and  fifty  yards  from  us. 
They  were  in  the  pens  made  by  our  regiment,  they  were 
standing  up  in  those  pens  as  thick  as  herrings  in  a  barrel, 
and  as  far  back  behind  them  as  the  smoke  would  allow 
us  to  see, —  such  a  mass  of  men  I  never  saw!  We  found 
one  Confederate  soldier,  an  Alabamian,  who  was  stand- 
ing behind  a  large  pine  tree,  loading  and  firing  with  as 
much  deliberation  as  if  he  were  firing  at  a  target.  He 
was  keeping  the  whole  of  Hancock's  force  back  at  this 
point.  He  said  he  was  a  sharpshooter,  and  his  line  was 
on  each  side  of  him!  There  certainly  was  no  other 
Confederate  in  front  of  our  regiment  line,  nor  could  we 
see  one  either  on  the  right  or  left.  We  lay  down,  taking 
advantage  of  everything  that  offered  a  protection,  and 
opened  on  the  enemy;  —  musket  balls  were  fairly  rain- 
ing, great  limbs  of  trees  were  cut  off  by  bullets,  as  if 
by  an  ax,  the  men  seemed  more  uneasy  about  them  than 
about  the  balls.  No  cannon  were  used  here.  This  was 
the  heaviest  fire  the  world  ever  saw  at  a  single  point! 


216  ONE  OF  JACKSON'S  FOOT  CAVALRY 

The  fire  from  those  40,000  men  was  so  heavy  that  they 
literally  shot  trees  to  pieces !  The  enemy  used  mules 
to  bring  ammunition  on  the  field,  and  some  of  their  men 
fired  over  400  rounds,  and  there  is  on  exhibition  at  the 
War  Department  in  Washington  an  oak  tree  about  four- 
teen inches  in  diameter,  that  was  severed  by  minie  balls 
at  this  time.  Our  colonel  and  lieutenant-colonel  were 
wounded  here  early  in  the  action,  Seay  and  Richardson 
of  F  Company,  and  many  of  the  regiment  were  wounded. 
After  staying  here  about  two  or  three  hours,  we  were 
ordered  to  the  rear,  and  stayed  there  the  remainder  of 
the  day,  gathering  up  the  stragglers,  and  those  of  our 
division  who  had  escaped  capture.  That  night  we  lay 
down  on  the  ground  for  rest,  with  truly  grateful  hearts 
that  our  regiment  had  been  ordered  out  of  the  breast- 
works, even  against  our  protest,  and  sent  to  the  front 
on  special  service,  escaping  capture ! 

We  remained  in  the  rear  until  the  morning  of  the  15th. 
We  found  in  the  middle  of  our  camp,  in  the  open  field, 
an  old  hare's  bed  containing  four  little  ones,  the  old 
mammy  having  run  away  on  our  approach !  I  do  not 
know  that  I  ever  saw  men  more  solicitous  for  the  welfare 
of  anything  than  were  those  grizzly  warriors  for  those 
little  bunnies.  It  was  raining,  and  some  wanted  to  make 
a  house  over  them,  others  wanted  to  hold  their  oilcloths 
over  them,  no  one  was  allowed  to  touch  them,  one  might 
look  as  much  as  one  choose,  but,  hands  off !  When  we 
left  it  was  a  sad  parting. 

This  attack  by  Hancock  that  was  so  formidable  and 
was  intended  to  cut  Lee's  hues,  was  one  of  the  most 
terrible  battles  of  the  war,  and  ended  in  a  miserable  fail- 
ure. Our  line  was  straightened  across  the  bend  that  night, 
breastworks  were  thrown  up  and  we  had  a  much  better 


ONE  OF  JACKSON'S  FOOT  CAVALRY     217 

line  than  before,  both  as  to  direction  and  position.  While 
we  were  in  the  rear,  we  collected  about  six  hundred  men 
of  the  division,  and  marched  to  the  front  and  took  posi- 
tion in  this  new  line.  The  day  was  quiet  in  our  front. 
On  the  1 6th  we  had  some  skirmishing.  On  the  17th 
Rodes'  skirmishers  and  our  regiment  made  an  attack 
on  the  enemy.  On  the  1 8th,  the  enemy,  having  been 
heavily  reinforced,  made  an  attack  in  our  front,  and 
were  easily  repulsed  with  heavy  loss.  On  the  19th  the 
enemy  disappeared  from  our  front  during  the  night, 
moving  to  their  left.  The  Second  Corps  followed  them, 
and  came  up  with  them  late  in  the  evening,  when  we 
made  a  fierce  attack,  lasting  until  late  in  the  night.  Dur- 
ing the  night  we  marched  back  to  our  old  position  in 
the  breastworks,  and  rested  there. 

About  the  coolest  thing  I  saw  during  the  war  was  un- 
der that  terrific  fire  from  the  Yankees  who  were  in  our 
breastworks.  It  should  be  remembered  that  when  we 
took  our  position  in  their  front,  we  found  one  lone  Con- 
federate who  was  keeping  up  a  steady  fire  on  them ! 
This  man  had  captured  a  Yankee  knapsack  which  he 
had  strapped  to  his  back.  Soon  after  our  arrival  he 
stopped  firing,  and  said  he  wanted  to  see  what  it  had  in 
it,  and  that  he  needed  a  change  of  underclothing  very 
badly.  Taking  off  the  knapsack,  he  opened  it,  and  from 
the  remarks  he  made  as  he  took  out  each  article  and  in- 
spected it,  he  seemed  to  have  gotten  possession  of  a  big 
clothing  store  with  a  notion  store  thrown  in !  He  se- 
lected a  suit  of  underclothing,  laid  them  aside,  then  re- 
placed the  remainder  in  the  knapsack,  fastened  that,  then 
deliberately  undressed,  taking  off  every  piece  of  his 
clothing,  even  his  socks,  put  on  the  clean  ones,  donned 
his  old  uniform,  quietly  took  his  gun,  brought  it  up  to 


2i8  ONE  OF  JACKSON'S  FOOT  CAVALRY 

his  shoulder,  took  deliberate  aim  and  fired,  and  loaded 
and  fired  as  long  as  we  were  there ! 

Brig.  Gen.  Walker,  the  commander  of  the  Stonewall 
Brigade,  in  writing  of  this  battle  says:  "  The  rapid  firing 
of  our  skirmishers  in  a  heavy  wooded  ravine  in  front 
of  the  center  of  Johnson's  line,  gave  notice  that  the  enemy 
was  advancing,  and  the  heavy  tramp  of  a  large  body  of 
infantry  and  the  sharp  words  of  command  could  be  dis- 
tinctly heard.  Our  men  were  all  up  and  ready  for  them 
with  muskets  cocked,  peering  through  the  gloom  for  the 
first  glimpse  of  their  foes.  The  enemy  had  emerged  from 
the  ravine,  and  advanced  about  one-third  of  the  way 
across  the  open  plateau  before  they  could  be  seen,  of 
could  themselves  see  our  works  on  account  of  the  fog. 
All  at  once  the  slow  lifting  fog  showed  them  our  heavily 
fortified  position,  some  four  or  five  hundred  yards  in 
their  front.  At  this  unexpected  but  unwelcome  sight, 
the  advancing  column  paused  and  wavered  and  hesitated 
and  seemed  to  refuse  the  task  before  them.  Their 
mounted  officers  rode  to  the  front  and  urged  them  on, 
while  many  officers  on  foot  and  horseback  shouted,  '  For- 
ward !  men,  forward  ' !  and  repeated  the  words  again 
and  again.  Then  the  moment  for  the  Confederate  fire 
had  come,  and  the  men  rising  to  full  height,  leveled 
their  trusty  muskets  deliberately  at  the  halting  column, 
with  a  practiced  aim  which  would  have  carried  havoc 
into  their  ranks.  But  the  searching  damp  had  disarmed 
them,  and  instead  of  the  leaping  line  of  fire  and  the  sharp 
crack  of  the  musket  came  the  pop!  pop!  pop!  of  explod- 
ing caps  as  the  hammer  fell  upon  them !  A  few,  very 
few  pieces  fired  clear,  fresh  caps  were  put  on  only  to 
produce  another  failure ;  the  powder  had  gotten  damp 
and  would  not  fire ! 


ONE  OF  JACKSON'S  FOOT  CAVALRY     219 

"  As  the  enemy  received  no  fire  from  our  line,  they  took 
heart  and  again  moved  forward  with  rapid  strides ;  on 
they  came  unopposed  and  in  a  few  moments  had  torn 
our  well  constructed  abattis  away  and  were  over  our 
works  taking  prisoners  of  our  unarmed  troops.  This 
statement  as  to  the  failure  of  the  muskets  of  our  men 
to  fire  is  true,  as  to  that  portion  of  our  line  between 
the  Stonewall  brigade  and  the  salient,  which  was  as  far 
as  my  vision  extended ;  but  I  have  been  told  by  officers 
of  the  Second  Brigade  that  the  right  of  that  brigade 
had  been  more  careful  or  more  fortunate,  and  their 
muskets  were  in  good  order,  and  that  the  enemy  was  re- 
pulsed in  front  of  that  portion  of  our  line  with  great 
loss,  and  that  they  held  their  position  until  the  enemy's 
troops,  who  had  crossed  to  their  left,  had  swung  round 
in  their  rear  and  come  up  behind  them." 

Major  D.  W.  Anderson  of  the  44th  Va.  Regiment  of 
the  Second  Brigade  was  officer  of  the  day  on  the  nth, 
and  he  says:  Capt.  Clary  of  Gen.  Johnson's  staff  came 
to  him  at  4  a.  m.  on  the  12th,  and  stated  that  Gen.  John- 
son sent  him  orders  to  see  the  regimental  commanders, 
and  tell  them  to  wake  up  their  men  and  have  them  in 
the  trenches,  and  see  that  their  guns  were  in  good  order. 
This  order  was  promptly  obeyed,  and  he  further  says 
that  when  the  enemy  advanced  they  were  repulsed  with 
great  slaughter,  not  one  getting  to  the  breastworks  until 
they  had  crossed  to  the  left  and  came  up  in  their  rear, 
when  they  were  taken  prisoners  and  marched  back  some 
two  or  more  miles  to  Provost  Marshal  General  Patrick's 
headquarters,  where,  he  says,  one  of  Gen.  Patrick's  staff 
said  to  him,  "  They  charged  us  with  only  45,000  this 
morning!  " 

Among  the  lost  in  our  division  were  Major  Gen.  John- 


220  ONE  OF  JACKSON'S  FOOT  CAVALRY 

son  and  Brig.  Gen.  Stewart,  captured ;  Brig.  Gen. 
Walker  and  Col.  W.  A.  Witcher,  who  commanded  the 
Second  Brigade,  were  wounded.  F  Company  lost  W.  B. 
Edmunds  and  P.  S.  Richeson,  wounded ;  and  W.  C. 
Seay  died  a  few  hours  after  being  wounded. 

While  we  were  engaged  in  these  battles,  Sheridan 
with  his  cavalry  left  Grant's  army  May  9,  1864,  on  a 
raid  to  cut  Lee's  communications,  and  capture  Richmond ! 
On  the  morning  of  the  12th,  he  arrived  at  Brook  school- 
house,  about  three  and  a  quarter  miles  from  Richmond 
on  the  Brook  turnpike.  At  that  time  my  grandmother, 
the  widow  of  Capt.  John  Goddin,  lived  on  the  west  side 
of  that  road  two  and  a  quarter  miles  from  Richmond, 
her  house  fronting  south.  In  front  of  it,  several  hun- 
dred yards  off,  was  a  fort,  situated  on  the  turnpike  at 
Laburnam.  On  the  Hermitage  road  was  a  similar  fort, 
and  they  were  connected  by  breastworks. 

On  the  morning  of  the  12th  grandmother  got  up  early 
to  do  the  churning,  preferring  to  do  it  herself,  taking  her 
position  on  the  front  porch.  When  the  butter  "  had 
come,"  she  went  to  the  well  at  the  side  of  the  house  to 
cool  the  churn  dasher,  and  get  some  cold  water  to  take 
the  butter  up.  At  the  same  moment  a  squad  of  Yankee 
cavalry  came  around  the  other  side  of  the  house,  and, 
perceiving  the  churn,  helped  themselves  to  buttermilk, 
and  when  the  old  lady  came  back  she  found  the  Yankees 
on  the  porch,  one  with  the  churn  to  his  lips,  drinking! 
It  made  the  old  lady  hot,  and  she  whacked  him  as  hard 
as  she  could  with  the  dasher,  and  said  some  very  plain 
words  to  the  party.  They  ran  off  in  a  good  humor,  say- 
ing they  would  see  if  our  breastworks  were  manned. 
Going  down  a  dividing  fence  until  they  reached  the  La- 
burnam fence,  they  fired  a  few  shots  and  at  once  discov- 


ONE  OF  JACKSON'S  FOOT  CAVALRY     221 

ered  the  breastworks  were  manned !  Running  back  to 
the  house  they  went  to  the  barnyard,  took  possession  of 
a  mule  and  cart,  filled  the  cart  with  corn,  and  drove  off 
towards  the  main  body,  which  was  at  Brook  school- 
house.  All  at  grandmother's  home  lamented  the  loss  of 
the  fine  mule  and  cart,  but  about  two  hours  after  the 
mule  came  back  with  the  empty  cart ! 

That  party  of  Yankees  went  nearer  to  Richmond  than 
any  during  the  war.  I  should  say  the  distance  by  the 
Brook  turnpike  was  about  two  miles  and  one  hundred 
yards. 


XXV 

HANOVER    JUNCTION,    BETHESDA    CHURCH,    COLD    HARBOR 

On  May  19th  the  Second  Corps  singularly  occupied 
the  left  of  Lee's  line  of  battle  at  Spottsylvania  C.  H. 
When  the  line  was  first  formed  we  were  on  the  right,  but 
Grant  made  all  his  movements  to  our  right,  and  Gen. 
Lee,  in  withdrawing  men  from  the  left  to  strengthen  his 
right,  had  taken  all  except  our  corps.  On  the  21st  we 
were  aroused  at  daybreak,  and  as  soon  as  we  formed 
ranks,  marched  out  of  our  breastworks  towards  the  right 
of  our  line  and  as  we  passed,  an  occasional  cannon  shot 
and  minie  ball  from  the  enemy  passed  over  us.  We 
marched  past  our  right  a  short  distance  and  took  a  road 
leading  in  the  direction  of  Richmond,  continuing  the 
march  in  that  direction  till  night,  when  we  stopped  to 
rest. 

It  will  be  remembered  that  Edward  Johnson's  division 
were  nearly  all  captured  on  May  12.  This  was  Jack- 
son's old  division  and  consisted  of  the  Stonewall  (the 
First),  the  Second,  and  Third  brigades,  all  Virginians, 
except  two  North  Carolina  regiments  in  the  Third,  and 
the  Fourth  Brigade,  which  consisted  of  Louisianians. 
After  bringing  together  the  Virginia  stragglers  and  such 
as  were  not  captured,  and  putting  regiments  into  com- 
panies, and  brigades  into  regiments,  we  found  we  had 
about  six  hundred  men.  These  men  were  organized 
and  called  a  brigade,  and  William  Terry,  an  officer  of  the 
Stonewall  brigade,  was  made  Brigadier  General  and  ap- 
pointed its  commander.     It  was  known  to  the  end  of  the 


ONE  OF  JACKSON'S  FOOT  CAVALRY  223 

war  as  Terry's  Brigade.  The  Louisiana  brigade  was 
consolidated  with  another  from  that  state  in  Early's 
division,  and  was  commanded  by  Brig.  Gen.  York.  The 
North  Carolinians  joined  some  brigade  from  that  state. 

When  Terry's  brigade  marched  out  into  the  road  the 
morning  of  the  21st,  we  were  joined  by  Evans'  brigade 
and  York's  brigade  and  were  told  that  Brig.  Gen.  Gordon 
had  been  made  a  Major-General  and  put  in  command 
of  these  three  brigades,  which  were  afterwards  known  as 
Gordon's  division  of  the  Second  Corps  (Jackson's  old 
Corps),  the  division  taking  a  prominent  part  in  all  its 
operations  until  the  end  came  at  Appomattox.  While 
the  brigade  was  known  officially  as  Terry's,  its  members 
continued  to  designate  the  different  bodies  as  the  Stone- 
wall brigade,  the  Second,  and  Third,  and  in  speaking  or 
writing  of  them  I  use  these  names.  Thus  the  Stonewall 
brigade  consisted  in  our  view  of  its  old  members  who 
were  present,  however  few,  and  we  spoke  of  the  mem- 
bers of  other  brigades  in  the  same  way.  We  did  this 
instead  of  using  regiments  to  designate  portions  of  this 
multiform  brigade. 

Gen.  Gordon  soon  rode  by,  and  we  filed  into  the  road 
and  followed  him,  reaching  Hanover  Junction  in  the 
night  and  ahead  of  Grant,  who  was  marching  for  the 
same  point.  The  next  morning  we  formed  a  line  of 
battle  in  a  wood  across  the  road  on  which  he  was  march- 
ing, and  when  his  advance  approached,  it  found  Lee  in 
his  front  again.  We  remained  in  our  position,  momen- 
tarily expecting  an  attack.  Grant  moved  some  of  his 
troops  across  the  South  Anna  river,  and  made  a  demon- 
stration in  front  of  our  line.  We  were  joined  during 
the  day  and  night  by  the  remainder  of  Lee's  army,  who 
took  position  to  our  right  and  left.     The  next  morning 


224  ONE  OF  JACKSON'S  FOOT  CAVALRY 

our  division  was  hurried  at  a  double  quick  to  the  left 
of  Lee's  line,  and  at  once  formed  a  line  of  battle.  The 
hurry  and  the  firing  in  our  front,  caused  us  to  expect  to 
become  heavily  engaged.  We  waited  several  hours  and 
marched  to  the  right  of  the  line,  staying  there  all  night. 
The  following  morning  we  took  position  on  the  east  of 
the  Richmond,  Fredericksburg  &  Potomac  railroad,  and 
threw  up  breastworks ;  and  continued  in  that  position 
until  the  morning  of  the  27th. 

Grant,  after  making  a  slight  attack,  left  our  front 
during  the  night  of  the  26th,  swinging  around  to  our 
right.  The  Second  corps,  early  on  the  morning  of  the 
27th,  were  on  the  march  to  oppose  him  again.  We 
marched  to  Pole  Green  Church,  the  place  where  Jack- 
son first  struck  McClellan's  outpost  in  1862.  On  the 
morning  of  the  29th,  we  formed  a  line  of  battle  not  far 
from  Bethesda  Church  and  threw  up  breastworks,  and 
when  Grant  came  along  the  road  that  evening,  he  found 
our  division  across  the  road  in  his  front  and  again  ready 
for  him!  After  slight  skirmishing  he  drew  off  without 
making  an  attack.  On  the  next  morning  the  Second 
corps  made  an  attack  in  our  front  and  drove  him  about 
one  and  a  half  miles;  we  then  returned  to  our  line,  re- 
suming our  position  in  the  breastworks. 

Tucker  Randolph,  the  gallant  boy  soldier,  an  old  F, 
was  killed  in  this  fight.  He  deserves  more  than  a  pass- 
ing notice.  Entering  the  service  at  seventeen  years  old, 
he  took  an  active  part  in  the  company  from  the  first, 
and  was  one  of  the  first  men  promoted  on  getting  into 
the  field.  A  corporal,  then  a  sergeant,  wounded  at 
Kernstown,  he  was  soon  after  promoted  to  a  lieutenancy 
and  appointed  an  aide  on  Gen.  John  Pegram's  staff,  and 
was  killed  while  displaying  conspicuous  gallantry! 


ONE  OF  JACKSON'S  FOOT  CAVALRY  225 

We  moved  to  the  right  on  the  31st,  and  again  threw 
up  breastworks.  On  June  1st  the  Second  corps  marched 
to  the  front  to  make  an  attack  on  the  enemy,  but  for 
some  reason  it  was  not  made ;  after  sharp  skirmishing 
lasting  until  sunset,  we  returned  to  our  breastworks. 
On  the  next  morning  we  moved  out  again  and  made 
the  attack,  taking  three  lines  of  fortifications  and  cap- 
turing about  seven  hundred  prisoners.  We  remained  in 
the  enemy's  line  next  to  them  until  about  midnight  of 
the  3d,  when  we  withdrew,  and  took  our  old  position  in 
our  breastworks.  While  we  were  in  the  enemy's  works, 
they  made  several  slight  attacks  on  us,  firing  their  artil- 
lery through  the  woods  and  once  they  fired  two  rammers 
of  their  cannon,  the  rammers  sticking  in  the  ground  a 
little  in  rear  of  the  21st  Va.  Regt.  Corporal  Ander- 
son of  F  Company  was  wounded  in  those  fortifications 
on  the  3d,  and  Captain  Jordan  was  severely  wounded 
while  he  was  on  the  skirmish  line  in  front  of  them. 

The  enemy  left  the  front  of  our  corps  during  the  night 
of  the  5th.  We  followed  them  the  next  morning,  and 
found  them  fortified  about  one  and  a  half  miles  to  our 
right.  On  the  7th,  the  skirmishers  were  ordered  for- 
ward, and  our  division  was  ordered  to  support  them. 
We  found  the  enemy  strongly  fortified.  On  the  9th, 
the  Second  corps  moved  to  the  right  and  rear  of  Gen. 
Lee's  line,  where  we  stacked  arms  and  went  into  camp, 
after  being  on  active  duty  for  thirty-five  days  and  under 
fire  each  day. 

Because  Lieut. -Gen.  Ewell  was  sick,  the  corps  was 
under  the  command  of  Major-Gen.  Early  during  these 
operations,  and  Major-Gen.  Ramsuer  was  assigned  to 
command  Early's  division. 

The  Second  Corps  now  consisted  of  Rodes',  Gordon's, 


226  ONE  OF  JACKSON'S  FOOT  CAVALRY 

and  Ramsuer's  divisions  of  infantry  with  the  usual  ar- 
tillery. Since  the  battle  of  the  Wilderness  May  5th, 
our  corps  had  lost  heavily  in  men  and  officers;  Maj.-Gen. 
Edward  Johnson  and  Brig.-Gen.  Stewart  were  captured, 
Brig.-Generals  Pegram,  J.  A.  Walker,  R.  D.  Johnston 
and  Hays  were  wounded,  and  Brig.-Generals  Stafford, 
Doles,  Daniel  and  J.  M.  Jones  were  killed.  The  "  ham- 
mering "  had  commenced  and  was  telling,  although  we 
did  not  realize  it  at  that  time. 

The  Army  of  Northern  Virginia  had  inflicted  terrible 
losses  on  the  enemy.  It  is  said  by  their  historians  that 
Grant  lost  at  this  time  about  as  many  men  as  there  were 
in  Gen.  Lee's  army  —  the  loss  he  sustained  before  cross- 
ing James  river  made  the  total  about  ten  thousand  more 
than  Lee's  whole  force. 

One  of  the  incidents  of  this  campaign  was  the  visit 
of  an  old  up-country  man,  who  came  to  see  his  son  in 
our  division.  He  wore  a  stovepipe  hat,  and  the  men 
had  great  fun  over  the  hat,  but  he  was  a  jolly  old  fellow 
and  was  not  worried  by  them ; —  be  was  very  anxious 
to  see  a  battle.  We  made  one  of  our  advances  while 
he  was  with  us ;  he  accompanied  his  son,  and  returned 
with  us  unhurt,  the  most  enthusiastic  man  I  ever  saw. 

While  we  were  marching  through  Hanover  County, 
an  old  lady  came  to  the  fence,  which  ran  along  the  road, 
and  wanted  to  know  of  us  if  we  belonged  to  "  Air.  Lee's 
Company."  We  told  her  we  belonged  to  Gen.  Lee's 
army!  She  wanted  to  know  how  her  son  was,  and 
when  we  informed  her  that  we  did  not  know  him,  she 
was  perfectly  astonished  to  think  any  man  in  "  Mr. 
Lee's  Company  "  did  not  know  all  the  men  in  it. 


XXVI 

LYNCHBURG 

On  June  12th  the  Second  Corps  received  orders  to 
cook  rations  and  be  ready  to  move  early  the  next  morn- 
ing. We  were  aroused  about  midnight,  formed  line, 
and  before  day  marched  out  of  the  woods  into  a  road 
leading  towards  Mechanicsville.  Arriving  there  we 
turned  towards  Richmond,  thinking  we  were  going  to 
head  Grant  off  on  the  south  side  of  the  Chickahominy. 
Soon  after  crossing  that  stream,  we  turned  to  the  right 
instead  of  the  left,  as  we  supposed.  "  What  does  this 
mean?  "  was  the  question  among  the  men.  We  marched 
around  Richmond  to  the  Three  Chops  Road  and  then 
turned  to  the  right  again  —  we  gave  up  guessing,  except 
that  possibly  Jackson's  old  corps  was  going  back  to  the 
valley. 

In  marching  around  Richmond,  our  route  was  about 
a  mile  from  the  home  of  relatives  of  mine,  and  I  went 
to  see  them.  When  I  reached  the  house  I  found  all  the 
ladies  of  the  family  and  two  of  Richmond's  belles  as- 
sembled in  a  large  porch.  I  was  welcomed  most  cordi- 
ally, and  told  I  was  just  in  time  for  luncheon.  In  a  few 
minutes  the  dining-room  servant  appeared  with  a  large 
waiter  filled  with  ash  cakes.  Without  formality  each 
took  one  in  his  hand,  and  was  then  presented  with  a 
huge  glass  filled  with  buttermilk  and  ice,  one  of  the 
belles  waiting  on  me.  In  this  plain  but  wholesouled 
manner  we  partook  of  our  luncheon.  That  was  a  rich 
treat  to  me,  and  I  know  that  it  was  enjoyed  by  the  belles 

227 


228  ONE  OF  JACKSON'S  FOOT  CAVALRY 

more  than  if  set  with  fashion's  formality.  I  can  see 
those  belles  now  as  they  were  eating  their  ash  cake  and 
buttermilk,  entering  into  the  fun  and  mirth  of  the  occa- 
sion, notwithstanding  we  could  hear  the  distant  cannon 
from  Lee's  and  Grant's  armies  and  the  cheers  from  my 
own  corps,  marching  we  knew  not  whither.  We 
marched  until  late  in  the  afternoon,  and  went  into  c&mp 
near  Ground  Squirrel  bridge,  having  marched  over 
twenty-five  miles.  On  the  following  morning  we 
marched  again.  About  ten  o'clock  Gen.  Gordon  passed 
us  and  told  us  not  to  march  so  fast,  or  the  mules  to  the 
wagons  would  not  be  able  to  keep  up  with  us,  and  in 
consequence  we  would  not  have  any  supper.  Gordon 
always  had  something  pleasant  to  say  to  his  men,  and 
I  will  bear  my  testimony  that  he  was  the  most  gallant 
man  I  ever  saw  on  a  battlefield.  He  had  a  way  of  put- 
ting things  to  the  men  that  was  irresistible,  and  he 
showed  the  men,  at  all  times,  that  he  shrank  from 
nothing  in  battle  on  account  of  himself.  Many  a  time 
I  saw  him  ride  along  the  skirmish  line  in  our  valley 
campaign  and  say  to  the  skirmishers,  "  Let's  drive  those 
fellows  (the  enemy)  away,  and  let  our  line  of  battle 
stay  where  they  are!  They  are  lazy  fellows,  anyway!  " 
or  some  similar  remark.  The  skirmishers  were  devoted 
to  him,  and  would  generally  do  as  he  wished. 

On  the  15th  we  came  in  sight  of  the  Central  Rail- 
road, passing  Trevillian's  depot,  where  Sheridan's  cav- 
alry and  ours,  under  Hampton,  had  had  a  fight  two  or 
three  days  before.  We  could  see  the  dead  horses,  torn- 
down  fences,  etc.,  as  nothing  had  been  touched;  and  we 
saw  the  rail  pens  used  by  Hampton's  men  that  Sheridan 
made  such  an  ado  about,  saying  he  could  not  whip 
Hampton  as  his  men  were  behind  such  strong  fortifica- 


1864 

He  carried  an  oil  cloth,  in  which  was  wrapped  a  cotton  fly  tent; 
haversack  in  which  was  towel,  soap,  and  needle  case;  canteen,  tin  cup 
and  tin  can  for  cooking. 


Opposite  page  228. 


ONE  OF  JACKSON'S  FOOT  CAVALRY     229 

tions!  On  the  evening  of  the  16th  we  went  into  camp 
about  one  mile  beyond  Keswich  depot.  On  the  17th  my 
brigade  got  on  the  cars  a  little  north  of  Keswich  and  was 
carried  to  Lynchburg.  Much  to  the  surprise  of  the  men 
we  found  the  town  in  great  excitement,  because  the 
enemy,  under  the  command  of  Gen.  Hunter,  had  ad- 
vanced to  within  two  miles  of  the  place.  There  was  a 
small  force  in  his  front  and  the  citizens  expected  imme- 
diately to  see  the  enemy  march  into  the  town.  Our 
presence  brought  an  immediate  change.  We  were 
cheered  to  the  echo,  and  the  ladies  waved  their  hands 
and  gave  us  lunches  and  cool  water  as  we  marched 
through  the  city.  All  wished  that  Hunter  would  stay 
until  Early  could  bring  all  his  army.  We  marched  past 
the  fair  grounds  and  formed  a  line  of  battle,  were  or- 
dered forward  and  halted  near  the  schoolhouse,  remain- 
ing there  all  night.  We  heard  skirmishing  in  our  front 
and  heavy  cannonading  on  our  left.  We  remained  in 
line  of  battle  until  the  afternoon  of  the  18th,  when  we 
received  orders  to  cook  rations  and  be  ready  to  move 
early  in  the  morning.  This  meant  that  the  remainder 
of  our  force  was  up,  and  we  were  going  to  attack 
Hunter  as  soon  as  it  was  light  enough  to  see.  Our 
skirmish  line  advanced  in  the  morning  and  found  that 
Hunter  had  slipped  out  of  the  trap  during  the  night, 
and  was  in  full  retreat.  Immediate  pursuit  com- 
menced, and  we  overtook  him  going  into  camp  at  Lib- 
erty, Bedford  County.  Our  advance  attacked  him  at 
once  and  he  retreated  further  on,  we  camping  in  the 
place  selected  by  him.  We  marched  twenty-five  miles 
during  the  day,  and  it  is  seen  that  we  did  not  let  him  rest 
much.  We  followed  Hunter  closely  until  we  came  to 
Salem,  Roanoke  County,  when  Gen.  Early  gave  up  the 


230  ONE  OF  JACKSON'S  FOOT  CAVALRY 

pursuit  and  turned  towards  the  valley.  Before  we 
reached  Salem,  he  sent  McCausland  with  his  cavalry 
around  to  the  rear  of  Hunter.  McCausland  succeeded 
in  cutting  off  part  of  the  enemy's  wagon  train,  and  cap- 
tured ten  pieces  of  artillery. 

During  this  march,  soon  after  passing  Big  Lick,  in 
the  afternoon,  approaching  one  of  the  handsome  resi- 
dences in  that  part  of  the  country,  we  noticed  several 
ladies  standing  on  the  side  of  the  road,  and  when  we 
came  nearer  we  saw  two  beautiful  young  ladies  and 
their  maids  and  near  them  were  two  huge  wash  tubs. 
The  young  ladies  gave  us  an  invitation  to  come  forward 
and  partake  of  some  ice  water  and  brandy  julep.  The 
men  needed  no  second  invitation ;  the  head  of  the  col- 
umn marched  up,  the  young  ladies  handed  each  man  a 
drink,  which  was  received  eagerly,  with  many  grateful 
wishes  for  their  future  welfare.  I  was  told  that  the 
tubs  were  repeatedly  emptied  and  filled.  This  was  the 
biggest  julep  treat  of  my  experience. 

We. marched  a  short  distance  from  Salem  and  en- 
camped, remaining  in  this  camp  the  next  day,  taking  a 
much-needed  rest.  Many  men  were  barefooted, —  some 
for  want  of  shoes,  others  having  sore  feet  from  new 
shoes  and  unable  to  wear  them,  and  to  the  latter  class  I 
belonged.  I  started  from  Richmond  wearing  a  new  pair 
of  heavy  English  shoes  and  when  I  took  them  off  at 
the  close  of  the  first  day's  march,  nearly  all  the  skin  on 
my  feet  came  off  with  my  socks,  and  I  went  through  the 
campaign  as  far  as  Washington  City  and  back  to  Win- 
chester barefooted,  and  kept  my  place  in  the  ranks,  too. 
Several  days  I  carried  my  shoes  tied  together  and 
thrown  over  my  shoulders,  but  was  troubled  so  much 
by  questions   and   requests  to  buy  them,   that   I  finally 


ONE  OF  JACKSON'S  FOOT  CAVALRY  231 

gave  them  to  a  comrade  who  had  none.  On  the  23d 
we  took  up  our  inarch,  and  the  next  day,  at  the  request 
of  the  men,  we  were  marched  over  the  Natural  Bridge, 
and  were  allowed  to  stop  there  an  hour  or  two  to  rest 
and  view  the  bridge.  Resuming  our  march,  we  went 
into  camp  about  sunset.  The  next  morning  as  we  passed 
through  Lexington,  the  whole  corps  marched  through 
the  burial  ground  and  past  Jackson's  grave.  What  hal- 
lowed memories  it  brought  up !  and  many  a  tear  was 
seen  trickling  down  the  cheeks  of  his  veterans ;  and  how 
many  of  them  had  crossed  the  river,  and  were  then  rest- 
ing "beneath  the  shade  of  the  trees"  writh  him!  We 
continued  our  march,  and  on  the  27th  reached  Staunton. 

Fourteen  days  had  elapsed  since  we  left  Lee's  line 
at  Richmond.  During  that  time  we  marched  in  eleven 
days,  235  miles,  the  last  day  marching  only  six  miles. 
On  our  march  from  Lynchburg,  we  passed  many  private 
places  that  had  been  pillaged  or  destroyed  by  Hunter's 
army,  and  at  Lexington  we  passed  the  ruins  of  the  Vir- 
ginia Military  Institute  which  was  burned  by  him  while 
he  was  on  his  march  to  Lynchburg. 

On  the  28th  we  resumed  our  march  down  the  valley 
and  felt  perfectly  at  home,  since  nearly  all  the  valley 
from  Staunton  to  the  Potomac  river  was  familiar  to 
us,  and  many  of  its  inhabitants  old  acquaintances.  We 
stopped  regularly  at  night  and  continued  the  march  each 
day.  On  the  afternoon  of  July  3d  we  reached  Martins- 
burg,  running  in  on  the  Yankees  who  were  there,  so 
suddenly,  that  they  did  not  have  time  to  move  any  of 
their  stores.  They  were  making  big  preparations  to 
celebrate  the  Fourth,  and  many  of  the  men  had  received 
boxes  of  good  things  from  home  and  friends.  The 
depot  and  express  office  were  filled  with  articles  of  this 


232     ONE  OF  JACKSON'S  FOOT  CAVALRY 

kind.  A  guard  was  placed  around  these  buildings  and 
their  storehouses.  The  express  office  was  put  in  charge 
of  a  quartermaster  who  was  an  old  friend  of  mine.  At 
night  I  went  there  and  inquired  of  the  guard  for  him 
and  he  let  me  into  the  building".  He  was  very  glad  to 
see  me,  as  he  had  only  one  man  to  help  him  get  these 
articles  in  shape,  and  asked  me  to  help  him ;  this  I  con- 
sented to  do,  if  he  would  give  me  a  barrel  of  cakes. 
He  said  "  all  right."  I  found  one  and  carried  it  out 
and  turned  it  over  to  my  company.  Returning,  I  went 
to  work  with  a  will,  but  with  so  many  good  things  in 
sight,  and  others  we  knew  were  in  the  boxes,  I  was 
compelled  to  say  to  my  friend  that  I  must  have  some- 
thing to  eat  before  I  could  work  any  more,  and  added, 
"  I  hadn't  '  nary  '  mouthful  for  three  days."  I  looked 
over  some  of  the  boxes  and  choosing  one,  opened  it,  and 
found  it  filled  with  cakes,  oranges,  bananas,  lemons,  etc., 
and  a  bottle  of  wine.  I  got  a  chair,  as  the  soldiers  said 
"  a  sure  enough  chair,"  and  sat  clown  to  my  box  and 
ate,  and  ate,  until  I  could  eat  no  more.  Then  I  went  to 
work  again  with  renewed  energy.  The  quartermaster 
just  then  wanted  something  from  one  of  his  associates 
who  was  at  the  depot,  and  I  offered  to  go  for  him,  which 
was  agreed  to,  and  he  gave  me  his  directions.  When 
I  reached  the  depot  I  found  it  filled  with  trunks,  boxes, 
etc.  After  discharging  my  errand,  I  looked  around  the 
depot  a  few  minutes,  and  told  the  man  in  charge  that 
he  ought  to  send  his  friend,  the  quartermaster,  one  of 
the  trunks  for  him  to  put  some  of  the  articles  at  the 
express  office  in  to  take  with  him.  He  said  he  would 
be  much  obliged  if  I  would  take  one.  I  shouldered  one 
at  once,  carried  it  out,  and  got  a  comrade  to  help  carry 
it  to  the  express  office.     I  made  my  report  and  opened 


ONE  OF  JACKSON'S  FOOT  CAVALRY  233 

the  trunk.  In  it  was  a  magnificent  saddle  and  a  lot  of 
clothing,  which  I  gave  to  the  quartermaster,  a  fine  pair 
of  boots,  a  gold  pen,  a  lot  of  writing  paper,  and  a  plum 
cake  which  I  "  confiscated,"  the  boots  fitting  me  to  a 
T.  When  my  feet  were  healed  so  that  I  could  wear 
them,  I  wore  them  until  I  went  home.  I  joined  my  com- 
pany, who  were  profuse  in  their  thanks  for  the  cakes, 
and  soon  fell  asleep, —  dreaming  of  little  cakes,  big 
cakes,  and  a  mountain  made  of  cakes. 

The  next  morning  was  the  Fourth  of  July,  1864! 
Gen.  Early  did  not  move  us  at  the  usual  early  hour,  but 
issued  to  the  men  the  good  things  captured  the  evening 
before.  They  were  divided  among  the  men  as  fairly  as 
possible,  F  Company  getting  a  few  oranges,  lemons, 
cakes  and  candy,  and  a  keg  of  lager  beer.  We  certainly 
enjoyed  the  treat,  and  celebrated  the  day  as  well  as  we 
could  for  our  hosts,  and  regretted  they  did  not  stay  to 
preside  for  us.  We  drank  their  health  with  the  wish 
that  they  would  do  the  like  again.  This  was  the  big- 
gest Fourth  of  July  picnic  celebration  we  enjoyed  dur- 
ing the  war.  We  took  up  our  march  and  crossed  the 
Potomac  river  at  Shepherdstown.  I  took  off  my  cloth- 
ing, made  a  bundle,  secured  it  around  my  neck  with  my 
belt.  I  walked  into  the  water  and  commenced  to  ford. 
About  one-third  of  the  way  the  bottom  of  the  river  was 
covered  with  large  round  stones,  then  a  smooth  and 
level  bed  of  granite  which  extended  nearly  to  the  oppo- 
site bank.  I  got  along  very  well  until  I  reached  the 
level  granite  bottom,  which  was  covered  with  minute 
shells,  adhering  to  the  granite,  so  very  sharp  that  they 
stuck  into  my  feet  at  every  step.  I  walked  on  them 
until  I  thought  I  could  not  take  another  step,  stopped, 
but  could   not  keep  my   feet  still, —  thought   of   sitting 


234  ONE  OF  JACKSON'S  FOOT  CAVALRY 

down,  but  the  water  was  just  deep  enough  to  cover  my 
mouth  and  nose  if  I  had  sat  down.  I  thought  I  would 
turn  back,  but  I  saw  it  was  just  as  far  back  as  to  the 
other  side.  Tears  actually  came  into  my  eyes.  I  was 
never  in  as  much  torture  for  the  same  length  of  time  in 
my  life.  Finally  I  got  over,  with  the  resolve  never  to 
ford  there  again  without  shoes. 

We  went  into  camp  at  night  on  the  banks  of  the 
Antietam,  on  the  ground  occupied  by  a  part  of  McClel- 
lan's  army  at  the  battle  of  Sharpsburg.  The  next  day 
Gordon's  division  marched  to  Harper's  Ferry,  where 
we  drove  the  enemy  into  their  fortifications.  We  re- 
mained there  the  succeeding  day,  skirmishing,  and  left 
during  the  night,  marching  to  Norristown,  where  we 
joined  the  remainder  of  our  corps.  The  next  morning 
we  crossed  South  Mountain  at  Fox  Gap,  and  went  into 
camp  near  Middletown. 

During  these  operations  Gen.  Early  had  been  joined 
by  Gen.  Breckenbridge's  command,  which  we  found  at 
Lynchburg.  It  consisted  of  two  brigades  of  infantry, 
some  cavalry,  and  artillery.  Gordon's  division  at  this 
juncture  was  assigned  to  Breckenbridge,  making  a  corps 
or  wine  under  his  command. 


XXVII 


MONOCACY 


We  left  camp  or  rather  our  bivouac  near  Middletown 
early  on  July  9th.  Taking  the  road  to  Frederick  City, 
Maryland,  we  marched  around  the  town  and  in  sight 
of  it.  It  was  a  beautiful  day  in  this  beautiful  country. 
The  sun  was  bright  and  hot,  a  nice  breeze  was  blowing 
which  kept  us  from  being  too  warm,  the  air  was  laden 
with  the  perfume  of  flowers,  the  birds  were  singing  in 
bush  and  tree,  all  the  fields  were  green  with  growing 
crops;  the  city,  with  its  thriftiness,  looked  as  if  it  had 
just  been  painted  and  whitened ;  a  few  floating  clouds 
adding  effect  to  the  landscape.  It  was  a  day  and  hour 
to  impress  all.  We  were  quietly  marching  along,  talk- 
ing about  the  scene  and  the  day. 

In  our  march  we  had  left  the  city  in  our  rear  and 
were  nearing  the  Monocacy,  a  river  crossing  the  road 
on  which  we  were  marching.  We  soon  heard  the  crack 
of  muskets,  and  at  almost  the  same  moment  the  roar 
of  cannon!  We  knew  what  that  meant,  that  the 
Yankees  were  going  to  dispute  our  crossing  of  the  river. 
The  two  divisions  in  front  of  us  were  hurried  forward, 
our  division  halted  after  going  a  short  distance,  and  we 
were  told  to  stack  arms  and  rest,  as  we  would  not  go 
into  the  fight.  The  men  took  off  blankets,  oilcloths, 
etc.,  and  stretched  them  in  fence  corners,  on  muskets  and 
rails,  to  make  a  shelter  from  the  sun.  Wre  were  in  the 
road  and  on  a  hill  which  overlooked  the  battle  that  was 
about  to  be  fought  in  our  front.     We  made  ourselves 

23s 


2$6     ONE  OF  JACKSON'S  FOOT  CAVALRY 

comfortable  and  lay  down  under  the  shelter  provided, 
to  look  at  a  battle,  something  we  had  never  done.  We 
were  Jackson's  old  "  foot  cavalry."  We  saw  our  men 
take  position  in  line  of  battle,  the  skirmishers  go  for- 
ward, become  engaged  with  the  enemy  on  the  opposite 
side  of  the  river,  a  battery  here  and  there  on  the  other 
side  shelling  our  men,  while  the  continual  crack  of  mus- 
kets told  that  the  shelling  made  no  impression  on  our 
skirmishers,  who  were  now  in  the  bushes  along  the  river 
bank.  Some  of  our  guns  went  into  position  and  opened 
fire,  our  line  of  battle  moved  forward, —  all  this  in 
plain  view  of  our  division.  It  was  very  exciting  to  us 
old  Confederates,  and  a  yell  went  up  along  our  line 
every  few  minutes  as  we  saw  our  men  get  into  some  bet- 
ter place  and  nearer  the  enemy-  The  men  of  our  divi- 
sion were  suggesting  to  each  other  a  line  on  which  the 
two  divisions  should  cross  over.  Suddenly  our  atten- 
tion was  called  to  a  man  riding  up  the  road  towards  us, 
leaving  a  streak  of  dust  behind  him.  He  rode  up  to 
Gen.  Gordon,  who  was  at  the  head  of  the  division,  de- 
livered a  message,  the  general  gave  an  order  to  his  of- 
ficers in  front,  and  mounted  his  horse.  We  were  called 
to  attention,  the  men  taking  down  their  blankets  and 
oilcloths,  and  rolling  them  up  to  take  with  them.  The 
order  was  given,  "Take  arms!  —  no  time  now  for 
blankets,  but  get  into  your  places  at  once."  "  Right 
face !  forward  march !  "  was  the  command  all  down  the 
line,  and  away  we  went.  "What  is  the  matter?"  was 
the  question  amongst  the  men.  We  thought  we  were 
to  be  spectators,  and  why  just  as  things  had  began  to 
get  interesting  in  front,  break  in  upon  us  and  actually 
make  some  of  us  leave  our  blankets  and  oilcloths,  arti- 
cles we  had  captured  in  some  former  battle.     The  men 


ONE  OF  JACKSON'S  FOOT  CAVALRY  237 

seemed  to  dislike  to  lose  those  articles  more  than  miss 
seeing  the  battle.  We  were  hurried  along  the  road  a 
short  distance,  and  filed  to  the  right,  going  through 
fields  and  over  fences  until  we  came  to  the  river,  we 
suppose  a  mile  or  so  from  our  line  of  battle.  We  found 
a  small  path  on  the  river  bank  leading  down  to  water, 
and  on  the  opposite  bank  a  similar  one,  denoting  a  ford 
used  by  neighbors  for  crossing  the  river.  The  crack- 
ing of  muskets  on  the  opposite  side  of  the  river  told  us 
that  the  front  of  our  division,  which  had  crossed,  was 
engaged.  My  brigade  was  the  rear  one,  and,  as  the 
regiments  crossed,  they  marched  up  the  river  along  the 
low  bank  and  formed  in  line,  and  were  ordered  forward 
to  the  attack.  As  the  Second  Brigade  mounted  the  hill, 
we  saw  in  our  front  a  field  of  corn  about  waist  high, 
extending  to  a  post  and  rail  fence,  and  behind  that  fence 
the  Yankee  line  of  battle.  They  began  to  shoot  at  us 
as  soon  as  we  were  in  sight.  Our  men  on  our  right 
were  heavily  engaged,  and  we  broke  into  a  run  with  a 
yell  and  went  toward  the  fence.  In  a  moment  or  two 
we  captured  it,  and  the  Yankees  were  running  to 
another.  An  officer  came  along  our  line  and  said  that 
we  were  not  wanted  there,  that  Gen.  Gordon  was  waiting 
for  the  Second  Brigade,  that  we  were  wrong  and  must 
fall  back  through  the  corn,  behind  the  hill,  on  the  low 
bank,  and  form  at  once  and  go  to  Gen.  Gordon.  We 
had  been  fighting  all  the  time,  but  as  soon  as  the  men 
could  be  made  to  understand,  they  ran  to  the  rear.  The 
brigade  was  soon  formed  and  we  marched  by  the  flank 
further  up  the  river,  then  the  head  of  the  column  was 
turned  to  the  right,  and  we  marched  up  on  top  of  the 
hill.  There  was  Gordon,—  I  shall  recollect  him  to  my 
dying  day, —  not  a  man  in  sight, —  he  was  sitting  on  his 


238  ONE  OF  JACKSON'S  FOOT  CAVALRY 

horse  as  quietly  as  if  nothing  was  going  on,  wearing 
his  old  reel  shirt,  the  sleeves  pulled  up  a  little,  the  only 
indication  that  he  was  ready  for  the  fight.  Our  division 
was  heavily  engaged  on  the  right,  and  the  troops  on  the 
other  side  of  the  river  were  keeping  up  their  fire,  as  we 
could  plainly  hear.  We  were  to  the  left  of  the  corn 
field,  and  marching  obliquely  from  it.  The  ground  had 
a  gentle  inclination  and  the  fields  were  enclosed  with 
post  and  rail  fences.  As  we  approached  Gen.  Gordon, 
he  rode  forward  to  meet  us  and  said,  "  Hurry  up,  boys," 
turning  his  horse  and  taking  the  lead.  The  head  of  the 
column  was  soon  near  a  fence,  and  high  enough  up  the 
hill  to  see  some  distance.  Looking  through  this  fence, 
we  could  see  another  fence  parallel  to  and  about  two 
hundred  yards  from  it;  just  on  the  other  side  of  the 
second  fence  was  a  line  of  Yankees  marching  towards 
the  river.  They  were  going  at  a  double  quick  step  and 
at  a  right-shoulder-shift  arms,  every  man  seemed  to  be 
in  place,  and  the  manner  of  their  marching  looked  more 
like  a  drill  than  a  movement  in  battle.  The  men  at  the 
head  of  our  column  seeing  this,  gave  a  yell,  and  sang 
out,  "  At  them,  boys!  "  Now  came  Gen.  Gordon's  part; 
turning  quietly  in  his  saddle  he  said,  "  Keep  quiet,  we'll 
have  our  time  presently."  As  we  were  now  near  the 
fence  Gen.  Gordon  said,  "  Some  of  you  pull  down  the 
fence,  so  that  we  may  go  through!"  In  an  instant 
several  panels  of  the  fence  were  down,  the  men  quietly 
stepping  aside  to  let  the  general  go  through,  and  as 
soon  as  this  was  done,  they  hurried  through  the  fence. 
The  first  man  to  follow  the  general  through  the  fence 
was  one  of  F  Company,  and  he  was  barefooted.  The 
general  led  in  the  direction  in  which  we  had  been  march- 
ing, and  tried  to  allay  the  excitement  of  the  men;  this 


ONE  OF  JACKSON'S  FOOT  CAVALRY  239 

he  was  able  to  do,  until  about  a  hundred  passed  through 
the  fence,  when  the  cry  went  up  from  the  men,  "  Charge 
them !  charge  them !  "  It  was  useless  for  Gen.  Gordon 
to  try  to  stop  it  now,—  nothing  but  a  shot  through  each 
man  could  have  done  it, — -  and  with  a  yell,  we  were  at 
the  fence.  A  volley  from  our  guns, —  and  that  magnifi- 
cent body  of  men  who  were  taking  their  places  in  line 
were  flying!  The  other  men  of  our  brigade  came  up 
as  fast  as  they  could  run  and  delivered  their  fire  at  the 
fleeing  enemy.  Over  the  fence  we  went,  the  enemy  run- 
ning in  all  directions.  Up  went  our  old  yell  all  along 
the  line  of  our  division,  and  it  was  answered  by  our 
comrades  on  the  other  side  of  the  river.  A  little  way 
beyond  the  fence  the  hill  falls  abruptly  to  a  small  val- 
ley, and  through  this  valley  ran  the  road  to  Washing- 
ton. Some  of  the  enemy  stopped  at  that  road,  turned, 
and  fired  at  us.  It  was  just  here  that  Porter  Wren  of 
F  Company  received  his  fatal  wound.  He  turned  and 
managed  to  walk  back  to  the  fence,  tried  to  get  over  it, 
but  fell  back  —  dead!  Immediately  on  the  brow  of  the 
hill  I  passed  a  Yankee  colonel,  laying  on  the  ground 
dead. 

This  was  the  most  exciting  time  I  witnessed  during 
the  war.  The  men  were  perfectly  wild  when  they  came 
in  sight  of  the  enemy's  column,  knowing  as  they  did, 
that  the  first  line  that  fired  would  have  the  advantage 
of  the  other.  It  was  as  much  as  Gen.  Gordon  could  do 
to  keep  the  head  of  the  column  from  making  an  attack. 
Our  division  pursued  the  enemy  a  short  distance,  when 
the  pursuit  was  taken  up  by  Ramsuer's  division,  who 
had  crossed  the  river  on  the  railroad  bridge,  as  soon  as 
we  cleared  the  way.  It  was  about  sunset  now,  and  my 
brigade  went  into  camp  in  an  orchard  near  the  road, — 


24o  ONE  OF  JACKSON'S  FOOT  CAVALRY 

on  the  same  ground  over  which  we  chased  the  enemy  a 
few  minutes  before.  In  this  orchard  were  several  of 
the  enemy,  wounded.  One  of  them  asked  me  for  some 
water,  and  stated  he  had  had  a  canteen  but  one  of  our 
men  had  taken  it  from  him.  Poor  fellow !  I  went  to 
a  spring,  filled  a  canteen  and  carried  it  to  him,  and  as 
I  had  two  canteens,  gave  him  this  one,  and  told  him  that 
in  case  some  of  our  men  wanted  it,  he  must  tell  them 
what  I  had  done  for  him,  and  I  was  sure  none  of  our 
men  would  take  it.  I  had  a  full  haversack  that  I  had 
taken  from  the  body  of  a  dead  Yankee  on  the  hill,  and 
offered  him  something  to  eat,  but  he  said  he  had  his  own 
haversack,  and  it  was  full.  He  seemed  to  be  very  grate- 
ful for  my  little  attention. 

A  mill  pond  was  near  us,  and  many  of  us  took  a  bath, 
which  refreshed  us  very  much.  I  ate  a  good  supper 
out  of  my  Yankee  haversack,  and  soon  went  to  bed  for 
the  night.  F  Company  had  H.  C.  Fox  wounded,  and 
J.  Porter  Wren  killed.  Early's  loss  was  not  large,  and 
was  confined  principally  to  Gordon's  division.  Among 
the  wounded  was  Brig.-Gen.  Evans.  We  captured  five 
or  six  hundred  prisoners,  and  Gen.  Early  sent  us  word 
to  take  no  more,  as  he  did  not  know  what  to  do  with 
them.  The  tables  were  completely  turned  on  Gordon's 
division.  We  thought  we  would  witness  the  battle,  but 
our  little  army  saw  our  division  of  2,300  men  whip  Wal- 
lace's force  of  10,000. 

The  road  to  Washington  was  now  open,  and  we  has- 
tened the  next  day  as  fast  as  men  could  travel. 

Gen.  Breckenridge,  who  commanded  his  own  and 
Gordon's  division  during  this  campaign,  said  to  Gen. 
Gordon  about  this  battle,  "  Gordon,  if  you  had  never 
made  a  fight  before,  this  ought  to  immortalize  you." 


XXVIII 


WASHINGTON 


On  the  morning  of  July  I oth  we  marched  early,  pass- 
ing- through  Urbanna,  Hyattstown,  and  Clarksburg, 
going  into  camp  about  sunset,  having  marched  twenty 
odd  miles.  The  day  was  a  terribly  hot  one  and  the  men 
straggled  a  great  deal,  although  it  was  reported  that  the 
enemy's  cavalry  we  left  at  Harper's  Ferry  were  follow- 
ing us,  and  picking  up  all  they  could  reach  from  our 
stragglers. 

We  were  up  and  moving  early  the  next  morning, 
passing  through  Rockville,  Maryland,  and  at  two  or 
three  p.  m.  the  head  of  Gordon's  division  passed  the  toll 
gate  about  four  or  five  miles  from  Washington.  We 
inquired  what  road  we  were  on,  and  were  informed  that 
it  was  the  Seventh  Street  pike.  The  enemy  were  shell- 
ing the  road  at  this  point  with  their  big  guns.  We  soon 
came  in  sight  of  the  Soldiers'  Home,  where  the  enemy 
had  a  signal  station,  and  we  were  really  at  Washington 
City.  We  could  see  their  fortifications  and  the  men 
marching  into  them  on  each  side  of  the  road  on  which 
we  were.  Their  dress  induced  us  to  think  they  were 
the  town  or  city  forces,  some  of  them  looking  as  if  they 
had  on  linen  dusters,  and  there  being  none  in  regular 
uniform. 

Probably  the  day  was  hotter  than  the  preceding,  and 
we  had  been  marching  faster  too.  Consequently  there 
was  more  straggling.     Our  division  was  stretched  out 

241 


242  ONE  OF  JACKSON'S  FOOT  CAVALRY 

almost  like  skirmishers,  and  all  the  men  did  not  get  up 
until  night.  Rodes'  division  was  in  front.  He  had 
formed  a  line  of  battle  and  sent  forward  his  skirmishers, 
who  had  driven  the  enemy  into  their  fortifications.  Our 
division  stacked  arms  on  the  side  of  the  road,  the  men 
broke  ranks  and  looked  around.  A  house  between  the 
two  lines  was  burning.  I  went  to  Silver  Springs,  the 
country  home  of  Mr.  Blair,  one  of  Lincoln's  cabinet, 
and  got  water,  and  examined  the  place.  It  was  a  splen- 
did home.  When  I  came  back  I  went  to  the  front  and 
looked  out  on  the  situation.  As  far  as  my  eye  could 
reach  to  the  right  and  left  there  were  fortifications,  and 
the  most  formidable  looking  I  ever  saw !  In  their  front 
the  trees  had  been  cut  down  so  that  the  limbs  pointed 
towards  us  and  they  were  sharpened.  About  midway 
of  the  clearing  was  a  creek  that  seemed  to  run  near  the 
fortifications  and  parallel  with  them.  The  enemy  had 
a  full  sweep  of  the  ground  for  at  least  a  mile  in  their 
front,  and  if  their  works  were  well  manned,  our  force 
would  not  be  able  to  take  them,  since,  as  I  suppose,  Gen. 
Early's  entire  command  did  not  number  10,000.  Night 
came  on  and  found  us  occupying  the  same  position. 
The  next  morning  Gordon's  division  marched  to  the 
front,  formed  line  of  battle,  advanced  to  the  edge  of 
the  wood  and  lay  down,  while  our  skirmish  line  was  sent 
forward  to  the  creek.  We  remained  in  our  position  all 
day.  The  enemy  were  shelling  us  at  intervals,  and  in 
the  afternoon  they  sent  forward  their  skirmishers  with 
a  large  force  following  them.  They  made  an  attack 
on  Rodes'  front.  He  repulsed  them  and  drove  them 
back  into  their  works.  At  night  we  left  Washington, 
and  retraced  our  steps  on  the  road  as  far  as  Rockville. 
There  we  took  a  road  to  the  left,  marched  all  night,  and 


ONE  OF  JACKSON'S  FOOT  CAVALRY     243 

stopped  about  midday  for  several  hours'  rest  near 
Darnestown,  then  resumed  the  march  and  continued  it 
all  night,  passing  Poolville  and  crossing  the  Potomac 
the  next  day  at  White's  Ford,  going  into  camp  near 
Leesburg. 

Thirty-one  days  had  passed  since  we  left  Lee's  army 
at  Richmond.  We  had  marched  during  that  time  four 
hundred  and  sixty-nine  miles,  fought  several  combats, 
one  battle,  and  threatened  Washington,  causing  the  big- 
gest scare  they  ever  had.  It  was  believed  by  the  men 
that  we  could  have  gone  into  the  city  on  the  evening  of 
the  nth,  if  our  men  had  been  up,  but  straggling  pre- 
vented it.  I  can  not  say  that  they  straggled  without 
excuse,  because  as  I  before  said,  many  of  them  were 
barefooted  and  footsore,  and  we  had  made  a  terrible 
campaign  since  we  left  our  winter  quarters  on  the  2d 
of  May.  I  was  still  barefooted,  my  feet  being  too  sore 
to  wear  my  boots.  The  scars  made  on  that  march  are 
on  my  feet  to  this  day.  Many  men,  like  myself, 
marched  right  along  without  shoes,  but  many  of  them 
were  physically  unable  to  keep  up. 

It  is  said  that  the  enemy  concentrated  over  'sixty 
thousand  soldiers  at  Washington  while  we  were  threat- 
ening the  city ;  this  force  pursued  us  to  the  Potomac,  but 
did  us  little  injury. 

The  next  day,  the  15th,  the  21st  Va.  Regt.  was  de- 
tailed to  take  charge  of  a  lot  of  horses  that  had  broken 
down  on  the  way,  others  having  been  captured  and  put 
into  their  places.  We  immediately  converted  ourselves 
into  a  regiment  of  mounted  infantry,  the  most  motley  ever 
seen.  Some  of  the  men  secured  saddles,  some  bags  and 
filled  them  with  straw,  some  used  their  blankets  to  ride  on ; 
some  horses  had  bridles,  some  ropes,  some  grape  vines 


244  ONE  OF  JACKSON'S  FOOT  CAVALRY 

for  bridles,  and  some  ridden  without  any  form  of  bridles. 
As  soon  as  we  were  mounted,  we  took  up  the  march, 
driving  the  loose  horses.  We  passed  through  Union 
and  Upperville,  stopping  about  sunset  to  let  our  horses 
graze,  the  only  food  they  had.  After  several  hours  of 
rest,  we  again  mounted  and  continued  the  march,  pass- 
ing through  the  Blue  Ridge  into  the  valley  at  Paris, 
marching  all  night.  We  stopped  the  next  morning  near 
Millwood,  Clarke  County,  and  turned  our  horses  loose 
to  graze,  having  marched  about  thirty-three  miles. 
We  were  the  most  completely  used  up  men  you  ever 
saw, —  foot  cavalry  could  not  be  converted  at  once  into 
mounted  men,  as  we  found  out  to  our  cost, —  and  when 
the  order  to  mount  was  given  about  midday,  we  wrere 
so  sore  and  disabled  that  nearly  all  the  men  needed  as- 
sistance in  mounting.  We  left  this  place  and  marched 
to  Middletown,  on  the  valley  pike,  stopping  several  times 
to  graze  our  horses.  On  the  morning  of  the  19th,  we 
turned  our  horses  over  to  a  quartermaster  and  marched 
to  Winchester,  where  we  joined  our  division. 

The  next  day  the  army  marched  up  the  valley. 
Reaching  Middletown,  Gordon's  division  was  sent  out 
in  the  direction  of  Berryville,  it  having  been  reported 
that  the  enemy  were  advancing  in  that  direction,  and, 
after  some  brisk  skirmishing,  we  drove  them  back. 
That  night  we  marched  to  Hupp's  Hill.  The  next  clay 
the  army  formed  a  line  of  battle  and  awaited  an  attack 
from  the  enemy.  They  came  in  sight  of  us,  fired  a  few 
cannon  and  had  some  skirmishing.  Their  army  was 
now  under  the  command  of  Gen.  Crook  and  Gen.  Averill 
was  the  officer  in  command  of  his  cavalry. 


XXIX 

KERNSTOWN    THE    SECOND,    AND    THE    ENEMAS    CAVALRY 
AT    LEETOWN 

The  enemy  having  left  our  front  at  Hupp's  Hill,  we, 
on  the  morning  of  24th  July,  marched  down  the  valley. 
When  we  reached  Barton's  Mill  we  learned  that  the 
enemy  had  made  a  stand  at  Kernstown.  Gen.  Early 
immediately  made  preparations  to  attack  them.  The 
Second  Brigade  was  deployed  as  skirmishers,  and  was 
posted  on  the  left  of  the  Valley  Pike,  its  right  resting 
on  the  pike.  The  rest  of  Gordon's  division  was  formed 
on  the  right  of  the  pike,  with  the  remainder  of  Breck- 
enbridge's  command.  The  Second  Brigade,  in  skirmish 
line,  was  ordered  forward.  In  our  front  there  was  an 
open  field  almost  level  up  to  the  enemy's  line  of  battle. 
There  the  country  became  gently  rolling  and  on  the 
hills  they  had  stationed  their  artillery.  The  fields  were 
separated  by  stone  fences,  several  of  them  running  across 
our  front,  and  were  occupied  by  the  enemy.  Soon  after 
we  began  to  advance,  we  came  in  sight  of  the  hill  that 
was  occupied  by  a  battery  which  fired  at  our  regiment 
in  March,  1862,  when  we  crossed  this  same  field.  They 
sent  shell  after  shell  at  us,  and  as  soon  as  we  were 
within  range,  the  Yankees  behind  the  first  stone  wall 
commenced  to  fire  with  their  muskets.  We  were  or- 
dered to  lie  down.  From  this  point  we  could  see  a 
long  line  of  the  enemy  on  the  right  of  the  pike,  and  on 
their  extreme  left  a  body  of  cavalry.  We  saw  also 
Breckenbridge  advancing  against  their  left.  The 
Yankees  in  front  of  our  brigade  were  shooting  rapidly 

24s 


246  ONE  OF  JACKSON'S  FOOT  CAVALRY 

at  us,  who  were  lying-  down  in  the  field,  and  our  men 
were  becoming  uneasy,  since  we  had  no  opportunity  to 
reply.  They,  stooping-  down  behind  the  wall,  loaded, 
rose,  and  fired  and  lay  down  before  we  could  locate 
them.  Our  men  sent  a  message  along  the  line,  "  Let's 
take  the  wall !  "  The  answer  came  back,  "  All  right !  " 
We  were  up  in  a  second,  and  at  the  wall  in  a  few  more 
seconds,  the  enemy  retreating  to  the  next  wall.  This 
was  not  very  far  from  us,  and  our  men  were  mounting 
the  wall  already  taken,  some  were  over,  for  we  were 
going  to  take  the  next  wall.  An  officer  came  from 
Gen.  Early  with  an  order  for  us  to  halt,  retrace  our 
steps,  and  lie  down  in  the  field  again.  Our  brigade 
commander,  Col.  Dungan  of  the  48th  Va.  Regt.,  told 
him  that  he  did  not  give  the  order  to  advance,  but  he 
saw  no  reason  to  stop  it  after  the  men  had  started. 
"  Well,  you  must  stop  them  now,"  said  the  officer. 
Col.  Dungan  gave  the  order  to  halt,  but  it  was  obeyed 
very  reluctantly,  the  men  standing  where  they  were,  the 
Yankees  shooting  at  them  all  the  time.  Our  officer  from 
Gen.  Early,  Major  Mann  Page,  an  old  F,  could  not 
stand  this ;  he  was  very  impetuous  and  called  to  the  men 
to  return,  but  could  not  induce  them  to  do  so.  They 
cried  out,  "  Let's  drive  them  away  from  the  wall!  "  and 
away  we  went,  leaving  the  major  stamping  with  rage. 
We  took  the  second  wall  in  about  the  same  time  it  takes 
to  tell  it,  driving  a  line  of  battle  from  it.  By  this  time 
Breckenridge  had  struck  their  left,  and  their  whole  line 
was  in  rapid  retreat,  and  as  those  on  their  left  made 
for  the  valley  pike,  nearly  all  of  them  passed  us;  we 
loaded  and  fired  into  their  ranks  as  fast  as  we  could, 
some  of  our  men  in  their  excitement  sitting  on  the  stone 
wall  loading  and  firing  from  it.     The  retreating  column 


ONE  OF  JACKSON'S  FOOT  CAVALRY     247 

of  the  enemy  seemed  to  be  so  intent  on  getting  away, 
that  they  gave  no  attention  to  our  small  line  on  the  wall. 
As  soon  as  all  of  them  passed  us,  over  the  wall  we  went 
in  close  pursuit.  They  went  through  the  village  of 
Kernstown,  keeping  the  pike  until  they  reached  the  old 
stone  church  and  burial  ground,  turning  to  the  left  be- 
tween them,  going  direct  to  the  hills  around  Winchester. 
The  first  fire  we  received  from  them  in  their  retreat  was 
from  a  fence  just  beyond  the  old  church.  As  we 
reached  the  church  and  turned  around  it  towards  the 
fence  through  which  they  went,  a  few  skirmishers  of 
theirs  along  this  fence  fired  on  us.  Sergeant  Griever 
of  the  48th,  who  was  carrying  the  flag,  was  shot  dead 
at  my  side,  and  one  or  two  more  were  wounded.  They 
had  no  time  for  a  second  fire,  as  we  were  upon  them. 
The  field  was  filled  from  this  fence  to  another  about  a 
quarter  of  a  mile  off  with  fleeing  Yankees,  and  beyond 
the  second  fence,  I  could  see  them  making  their  way 
over  the  hill.  In  order  to  help  their  men  in  the  field, 
some  of  them  were  firing  at  us  from  the  farther  fence. 
An  officer  on  a  white  horse  seemed  to  be  directing  them; 
some  of  us  paid  our  respects  to  him,  the  balance  shooting 
into  the  mass  of  the  enemy  in  the  field.  Before  we  were 
half  way  across  the  field,  their  fire  ceased  and  they  and 
the  officer  on  the  white  horse  disappeared  over  the  hill 
When  we  reached  the  hill  we  were  so  tired  that  we 
could  run  no  longer,  but  we  continued  the  pursuit,  fol- 
lowing the  trail,  and  only  came  in  sight  of  the  enemy 
as  they  went  up  the  hill  just  behind  Winchester.  On 
that  hill  they  had  one  piece  of  artillery,  which  fired  at 
us  once,  then  limbered  up  and  joined  in  the  retreat. 
We  continued  the  pursuit  until  sunset,  when  we  halted, 
stacked  arms,  and  soon  lay  down  to  rest  for  the  night, 


248  OXE  OF  JACKSON'S  FOOT  CAVALRY 

Rodes'   division  keeping  up  the  pursuit  into  the  night. 

This  was  the  most  easily  won  battle  of  the  war.  We 
had  very  few  casualties.  We  could  trace  the  line  of 
the  enemy's  retreat  to  the  hills  by  their  dead  and 
wounded,  a  loss  inflicted  on  them  mostly  by  the  skir- 
mishers of  the  Second  Brigade.  We  were  in  the  ad- 
vance until  we  were  stopped,  and  stacked  arms,  and  we 
were  within  one  hundred  yards  of  the  enemy  until  they 
reached  the  hill. 

The  next  day  we  followed  the  retreating  enemy,  and 
Gordon's  Division  went  into  camp  at  Bunker  Hill. 
The  next  day  we  marched  to  Martinsburg  and  remained 
in  the  neighborhood  until  the  31st,  tearing  up  the  B. 
&  O.  Railroad  for  miles.  This  is  the  fourth  time  I 
took  part  in  the  ruin  of  this  railroad.  We  left  Martins- 
burg and  marched  to  Darksville,  remaining  until  August 
4th,  when  we  moved  to  the  Potomac  and  crossed  at 
Shepherdstown  on  the  5th,  marching  to  Sharpsburg, 
passing  a  few  miles  beyond  and  into  camp  for  the  night. 

How  soon  the  scars  of  war  are  removed  when  they 
are  made  in  a  country  that  is  kept  in  a  state  of  cultiva- 
tion and  improvement!  We  could  see  very  little  of  the 
great  battle  of  Sharpsburg,  and  when  we  passed  the 
Tunker  or  Dunkard  church  everything  looked  so  nice 
and  clean  that  one  would  not  know  that  it  was  the  scene 
two  years  before  of  the  most  severe  fighting  of  the 
war !  The  battle  of  Jackson's  Corps  and  McClellan's 
right  was  at  its  fiercest  around  this  church.  Lines  were 
driven  back  and  forward,  around  and  around  the  old 
church,  hundreds  of  musket  balls  struck  it,  and  several 
cannon  shots  went  through  it.  Dead  and  dying  men 
were  lying  in  sight  of  it  by  thousands. 

The  next  day,  the  6th,  we  marched,  passing  through 


ONE  OF  JACKSON'S  FOOT  CAVALRY     249 

Tillmantown  and  crossing  the  Potomac  at  Williamsport, 
and  camped  at  Falling  Waters.  Thence  we  marched  to 
Darksville,  Bunker  Hill,  and  the  Woolen  Mill,  not  far 
from  Winchester,  camping  for  the  night  at  each  place. 
At  the  latter  place  we  arrived  in  the  afternoon.  My 
brigade  had  stacked  arms,  broken  ranks,  and  taken  off 
our  accouterments,  when  the  long  roll  was  heard.  We 
were  ordered  to  "  fall  in/'  and  marched  some  distance 
to  repel  an  advance  of  the  enemy's  cavalry.  On  the 
nth  Gordon's  Division  was  at  Newtown  skirmishing  on 
the  White  Post  road  with  the  enemy.  There  W.  H. 
Divers  of  F  Company  received  a  terrible  wound  through 
the  leg,  and  died  two  days  afterwards.  From  New- 
town we  marched  to  Strasburg,  where  our  army  formed 
a  line  of  battle  and  waited  an  attack  from  the  enemy. 
Thence  we  moved  to  Fisher's  Hill,  staying  there  until 
the  1/th,  when  we  marched  to  Winchester.  There  we 
found  the  enemy  in  line  of  battle  awaiting  us.  We 
made  preparation  for  an  immediate  attack.  Gordon's 
Division  was  formed  in  line  of  battle  on  the  right  of  the 
pike,  divided  into  three  sections ;  our  skirmishers  wTere 
ordered  forward,  and  the  right  section  soon  followed. 
As  soon  as  they  advanced  their  length  ahead  of  the  mid- 
dle section,  the  middle  section  advanced,  and  so  with 
the  third,  our  line  advancing  in  echelon.  The  Second 
Brigade  was  on  the  left  of  the  line  and  was  the  third  or 
last  section ;  we  continued  to  advance  in  this  way  for  a 
mile.  Our  skirmishers  encountered  the  enemy  in  our 
front,  who  gave  way  at  once.  Our  brigade  was  shelled 
heavily  from  a  battery  posted  on  a  hill  towards  our  left. 
We  came  to  a  corn  field  and,  as  we  passed  through  it, 
I  took  a  well-filled  haversack  from  one  of  the  dead 
Yankees,   swung  it  round  my  neck,   and  continued  my 


250  ONE  OF  JACKSON'S  FOOT  CAVALRY 

march.  Looking  in  it  I  found  it  filled  with  roasting 
ears,  that  had  just  been  boiled,  and  hot.  I  commenced 
to  eat  at  once,  giving-  my  comrades  some.  Passing 
through  the  corn  field  we  right-faced  and  joined  the 
division,  which  was  now  marching  by  the  flank.  The 
skirmishers  were  so  far  off  that  we  decided  the  enemy 
preferred  a  retreat  to  a  fight.  Night  soon  came  on, 
we  stacked  arms  and  bivouacked. 

The  next  day,  i8th,  Maj.-Gen.  Anderson  joined  us 
with  a  division  of  infantry,  his  artillery,  and  cavalry. 
On  the  19th  we  marched  to  Bunker  Hill,  the  next  day 
towards  Charlestown,  encountering  the  enemy's  cavalry 
in  force,  and  finally  coming  up  with  his  army  well  forti- 
fied near  Charlestown.  Skirmishers  were  thrown  for- 
ward and  were  heavily  engaged  all  day.  The  enemy 
left  during  the  night,  and  when  morning  came  and  we 
ascertained  they  had  left,  we  were  off  at  once  in  pursuit, 
Gordon's  Division  passing  through  their  fortifications. 
They  were  the  best  hurriedly  thrown  up  works  I  saw 
during  the  war.  About  one  hundred  yards  in  their 
front,  rails  from  the  adjacent  fences  had  been  placed 
in  the  ground  about  six  inches  apart,  leaning  to  the 
front.  They  were  about  w7aist  high  with  their  ends 
sharpened.  When  we  reached  them  in  our  march,  we 
found  it  a  heavy  task  to  remove  enough  of  them  for 
the  division  to  pass  through.  We  found  the  enemy  in 
position  at  Halltown,  and  again  fortified.  It  was  re- 
ported to  Gen.  Early  that  a  fine  lot  of  hogs  were  in  a 
field  on  their  right,  inside  their  skirmish  line.  Gordon's 
Division  was  immediately  sent  for  the  hogs,  which  we 
soon  took  possession  of  and  that  night  all  had  fresh  pork 
for  supper.  We  remained  in  the  enemy's  front  until 
the  morning  of  the  25th,  when  Gordon's  Division,  with 
some  of  the  other  divisions,  marched  towards  Leetown. 


ONE  OF  JACKSON'S  FOOT  CAVALRY     251 

Gen.  Early  accompanied  us  and  left  Gen.  Anderson  in 
command  of  the  force  in  front  of  the  enemy.  Soon 
after  passing  Leetown  our  division,  which  was  in  front, 
came  in  contact  with  the  enemy's  cavalry.  A  long  line 
of  skirmishers  was  thrown  forward  on  each  side  of  the 
road,  our  division  formed  in  line  of  battle,  and  all  were 
ordered  forward.  Soon  the  skirmishers  became  en- 
gaged and,  as  they  advanced,  fighting  became  heavy ;  but 
they  drove  the  enemy  at  all  points.  The  enemy's  cav- 
alry made  a  charge  on  the  left  of  the  road  in  a  large 
field,  and  succeeded  in  capturing  a  few  of  our  men,  but 
they  were  hurriedly  driven  back.  The  line  of  battle 
was  halted  occasionally  to  allow  the  skirmishers  to  clear 
the  way.  During  one  of  these  halts,  we  stacked  arms 
and  were  ordered  to  lie  down  near  our  guns.  A  Yankee 
battery  on  our  right  occasionally  sent  a  shot  at  us.  One 
of  these,  a  round  shot,  struck  the  ground  near  my  front, 
ricocheted,  and  came  directly  towards  us.  Every  one 
in  the  locality  was  watching  it,  and  it  became  evident 
that  it  would  strike  a  stack  of  muskets  just  to  my  right, 
in  its  second  descent.  Then  it  was  seen  that  as  it  was 
an  oblique  shot,  it  might  strike  two  stacks.  The  guns 
were  loaded,  and  fearing  that  some  of  our  line  might  be 
injured  by  the  firing  of  the  guns  should  they  be  struck, 
the  men  who  owned  both  stacks  jumped  to  them  to  take 
arms,  and  get  away  before  the  shot  struck.  In  the  hurry 
and  confusion  they  became  mixed,  the  shot  fell  in  their 
midst, —  men,  guns,  shot,  and  all  went  down  together. 
In  a  few  seconds  the  men  were  on  their  feet,  hurrahing 
and  laughing,  and  one  man  held  up  the  shot,  neither  men 
nor  guns  having  been  injured, — but  it  was  a  close  shave. 
These  men  laughed  and  jested  at  death,  as  all  old  sol- 
diers do.  Constant  exposure  to  danger  hardened  the 
best   of   them.     We  resumed  the  advance   for  a  short 


252  ONE  OF  JACKSON'S  FOOT  CAVALRY 

distance ;  the  enemy  seemed  to  have  had  enough  and  to 
have  withdrawn.  Onr  skirmishers  were  called  in,  and 
my  division  resumed  its  march  by  the  flank  in  the  road. 
We  went  along  quietly.  Gen.  Early  and  some  other 
officers  riding  at  the  head  of  the  column.  Someone 
now  approached  Gen.  Early,  and  soon  he  left  the  pike 
by  a  country  road  on  our  right  and  rode  to  the  top  of 
a  hill.  Then  he  turned  and  beckoned  to  the  officer  who 
was  riding  in  our  front,  and  he  turned  into  this  road. 
We  followed  a  short  distance,  the  column  halted,  and 
it  was  rumored  that  the  enemy  were  just  over  the  hill  in 
our  front.  I  ran  to  the  top  of  the  hill,  and  found  that 
it  fell  on  the  opposite  side  about  as  suddenly  as  it  rose 
on  our  side.  It  was  a  ridge,  at  the  foot  of  which  on 
the  other  side  there  was  a  corn  field  extending  to  another 
pike,  which  ran  at  nearly  right  angles  to  the  one  on 
which  we  had  been  marching  and  joined  it  about  a  mile 
away.  In  this  pike  there  was  a  Yankee  column  of  cav- 
alry marching  along  quietly,  seeming  to  be  ignorant  of 
the  proximity  of  a  Confederate.  They  were  about  four 
hundred  yards  from  us.  I  do  not  know  how  it  affected 
Gen.  Early,  but  it  was  the  most  thrilling  scene  I  ever 
saw,  and  gave  me  the  "  shakes  "  at  once.  I  was  ordered 
to  run  clown  the  pike  as  fast  as  I  could  until  I  met  some 
of  the  skirmishers,  and  give  the  officer  in  command  an 
order  to  come  to  the  front  as  fast  as  possible.  I  has- 
tened away  and  soon  met  Capt.  Hays'  command,  deliv- 
ered the  order,  and  described  the  situation  to  him.  Poor 
fellow !  he  and  his  men  were  so  completely  exhausted 
by  skirmishing  with  the  enemy's  cavalry  for  two  or  three 
hours,  that  they  could  not  double  quick,  but  started  off 
at  a  quick  step.  When  they  came  to  the  front,  they 
deployed  in  the  corn  field  and  advanced  at  once.  Our 
line  of  battle  was  formed  by  regiments  as  fast  as  they 


ONE  OF  JACKSON'S  FOOT  CAVALRY     253 

could  enter  the  corn  field,  and  each  regiment  was  or- 
dered forward.  The  skirmishers  were  near  the  road 
before  they  were  observed  by  the  enemy,  and  poured  a 
withering  fire  into  them.  The  enemy  attempted  to  reply 
to  this,  and  when  some  of  our  regiments  came  into  view, 
they  broke  and  ran  in  every  direction!  We  cut  their 
column  in  two,  some  of  them  going  towards  Shepherds- 
town  and  the  others  returned  towards  Harper's  Ferry, 
whence  they  had  come.  Those  who  were  returning  to- 
wards Harper's  Ferry  ran  out  a  battery,  that  shelled  us 
for  a  few  minutes,  then  limbered  up  and  followed  the 
crowd ; —  a  part  of  our  division  pursuing  them,  and  a 
part  pursuing  those  going  towards   Shepherdstown. 

When  I  came  out  of  those  two  fights,  I  surely  was 
the  best  equipped  man  in  our  army.  I  captured  a  horse 
with  splendid  equipments,  even  the  poncho  and  blanket 
rolled  up  behind  the  saddle.  Before  the  fight  was  over, 
I  got  a  Colt's  five-shooter,  a  sixteen-shot  Winchester 
rifle,  a  saber,  a  nose  bag  for  my  horse  and  a  bag  of  oats, 
also  a  canteen,  six  extra  saddles,  and  a  Yankee  haver- 
sack filled  with  rations. 

About  midnight,  the  division  having  come  together, 
we  went  into  camp,  and  heard  that  Fitz  Lee  had  cap- 
tured the  party  that  went  towards  Shepherdstown.  All 
of  us  slept  well  on  that  news  and  a  heavy  day's  work. 
In  the  morning  we  learned  that  the  enemy  had  escaped 
from  Fitz  Lee,  although  he  at  one  time  had  them  in  a 
tight  place.  August  27th  found  Gordon's  Division  at 
Bunker's  Hill. 

On  the  29th  Gordon's  Division  was  ordered  to  the 
front.  We  found  the  enemy's  cavalry  at  Opequan 
Creek  and  attacked  them  at  once,  driving  them  about 
five  miles ;  and  returned  to  our  camp.  September  3d 
found  Early's  army  in  camp  around  Winchester.     On 


254  ONE  OF  JACKSON'S  FOOT  CAVALRY 

the  7th  the  enemy  drove  in  the  pickets  of  our  brigade. 
Gordon's  Division  was  ordered  to  their  support,  and 
drove  the  enemy  back  across  the  Opequan,  which  was 
the  dividing  line  between  the  two  armies. 

At  this  time  I  received  the  following  communication, 
which  explains  itself : 

Hd.  Qrs.  2  ist  Va.  Infantry, 
Sept.  12th,  1864. 
Special  Order. 
No.— 
Sergt.  J.   H.   Worsham   Co.   "  F."   is  announced  as  Act. 
Adjt.  of  this  Regt.  from  this  date. 

By  order  Col.  Moseley. 
E.  E.  England,  Lt.  &  Act.  Adjt. 

This  made  three  adjutants  the  company  has  furnished 
the  regiment.  It  has  also  furnished  the  regiment  three 
sergeant-majors. 

September  13th  found  Gordon's  Division  near  Bruce- 
town,  where  our  pickets  had  again  been  driven  in  by 
the  enemy.  The  Second  Brigade  was  ordered  to  their 
support,  driving  the  enemy  across  the  Opequan,  the  21st 
Va.  Regt.  remaining  on  picket.  On  September  14th 
Gen.  Anderson  left  us,  taking  his  artillery  and  Ker- 
shaw's division  of  infantry  with  him,  leaving  Fitz  Lee's 
cavalry  with  us.  The  17th  found  Gordon's  and  Rodes' 
division  at  Bunker's  Hill. 

Y\  nile  in  camp  at  Darksville  on  August  2,  1864,  I 
made  my  last  morning  report  of  the  company  as  orderly 
sergeant,  and  herewith  give  a  copy  of  it.  It  was  made 
on  a  piece  of  paper  torn  out  of  an  old  account  book  and 
the  ruling  and  heading  I  did  with  pokeberries,  accord- 
ing to  the  "  Form  "  provided  by  the  adjutant  of  the 
regiment. 


ONE  OF  JACKSON'S  FOOT  CAVALRY     255 

Morning  Report  of  Company  F. 

PRESENT 


In 

For  Duty 

Duty 

Sick 

Arrest 

a 

<u 

<5 

B 

3 

c 
a 

0 

0 

V 

6 

0 

O 

t 

-a 

S" 

" 

bo 

3 

> 

u 

u 

O 

'■- 

C 

1864 

u 

M 

m 

U 

>Si 

^ 

O 

15 
i 

P-, 
1 

— 

£ 

1 

O 

!z; 

Ch 

O 
1 

w 

Aug.    2 

I 

1 

1 

8 

14 

"     3° 

I 

1 

8 

1 

1 

1 

1 

14 

ABSENT 


Detached 
Service 

With 
Leave 

Without 
Leave 

Sick 

Missing 

a 

<u 

SI 

O 

O 

O 

6 

O 

«j 

O 

U 

O 

cj 

U 

s 

"5 

1864 

O 

2; 

& 

O 

1 

1 

1 
1 

O 

2 

10 

10 

O 
1 
1 

1 
1 

11 
11 

O 

2 
1 

1 

7 
7 

I 

I 

w 

Aug.      2 

1 

11 

44 

"       30 

1 

11 

44 

Present 

Altera- 

& 

tions 

Absent 

>. 

s 

-a 

w 

■a 

Vi 

OJ 

bo 

<u 

^ 

M-< 

•a 

0 

rt 

<u 

r&i 

<U 

•u 

0 

£ 

T3 

bu 
a; 

bo 

a; 

T3 

c 

bo 

m-< 

'3 

i-7 

.2 
2 

f* 

i£ 

| 

bo 
bo 

bo 
bo 

- 

0 

.2 

13 

i-. 

c 

C3 
<U 

S 

1864 

O 
z 
2 

58 
58 

60 
60 

60 
60 

I 
I 

u 

I 

Q 

G 

« 

& 

Cm 

u 

01 

Aug.      z 

"       3° 

M. 

L.  Hudgin 

,,  1  st  Lt. 

XXX 

WINCHESTER,    1864 

On  the  18th  of  September,  1864,  Gordon's  Division 
left  Bunker's  Hill  and  marched  to  Marti nsburg.  There 
we  encountered  some  of  the  enemy's  cavalry  who  skir- 
mished with  us  and  retired,  firing  at  long  distance.  We 
stopped  at  Martinsburg  a  short  time,  and  marching  back 
to  Bunker's  Hill,  encamped  for  the  night.  It  had  been 
rumored  in  our  camp  a  week  or  two  that  Gen.  Sheri- 
dan from  Grant's  army  was  in  command  of  the  enemy, 
and  that  he  had  been  largely  reinforced.  Their  force 
in  the  valley  had  all  along  been  three  or  four  times  as 
large  as  Early's,  and  now  since  Sheridan  was  receiving 
more  men,  it  must  be  five  or  six  times  as  large.  It  was 
believed  by  us  that  Sheridan  had  more  men  in  his  cav- 
alry alone,  than  the  number  of  Early's  entire  army. 
On  the  19th  we  marched  from  Bunker  Hill  in  the  direc- 
tion of  Winchester,  and  in  a  short  time  we  heard  the 
boom  of  a  cannon  in  our  front.  Some  of  our  army  had 
been  engaged  daily  with  the  enemy  for  the  last  month, 
and  considering  this  shot  in  our  front  to  be  a  part  of 
the  daily  attack,  we  paid  little  attention  to  it.  We  kept 
quietly  on  our  way  until  we  passed  Stevenson's  depot, 
when  we  saw  a  horseman  approaching  us  hurriedly. 
When  he  rode  up  to  Gen.  Gordon  in  our  front  we  recog- 
nized him  as  Col.  Pendleton,  Gen.  Early's  Adjutant- 
General.  He  had  a  moment's  talk  with  Gen.  Gordon, 
wheeled  his  horse  and  rode  off.  We  hurried  up  and 
our  ranks  closed.     Soon  we  left  the  pike  by  our  left  and 

256 


ONE  OF  JACKSON'S  FOOT  CAVALRY     257 

marched  across  the  fields.  The  firing  in  our  front  had 
become  heavy  and  we  heard  the  musketry.  We  decided 
that  it  was  a  general  attack  by  Sheridan,  but  our  men 
were  not  disturbed  by  it,  because  we  knew  we  could 
whip  Sheridan  easily,  notwithstanding  the  large  odds  we 
believed  he  had  against  us.  We  marched  in  the  same 
direction  a  mile  or  more,  and,  coming  in  sight  of  a  small 
body  of  cavalry,  were  told  it  was  part  of  Fitz  Lee's 
force,  and  towards  our  right  we  saw  some  of  our  artil- 
lery firing.  We  marched  towards  this  artillery  but  in 
front  of  it.  The  fight  was  raging  in  our  front,  and  in 
a  wood  on  our  left  there  was  heavy  skirmishing.  We 
continued  to  march  by  the  flank  past  this  wood,  the  head 
of  the  column  being  nearly  in  front  of  our  artillery. 
When  we  came  to  an  open  space  between  the  woods  just 
passed  and  another  a  little  farther  on,  we  saw  our  artil- 
lery firing  through  this  opening  at  a  line  of  battle  of 
the  enemy's,  that  was  advancing  through  a  field  beyond 
the  woods.  Our  column  continued  its  march  until  it 
reached  a  line  opposite  the  second  woods,  when  we 
halted,  were  ordered  to  front  face,  and  load.  Our 
skirmishers  formed  along  the  whole  front  of  the  divi- 
sion, and  were  ordered  forward.  We  followed  them, 
our  artillery  firing  over  us  at  the  advancing  enemy. 
Terry's  Brigade  (ours)  was  on  the  right,  the  Louisian- 
ians  next,  and  Evans  on  the  left.  We  saw  our  skir- 
mishers in  front  engage  the  enemy,  and  from  the  in- 
creased firing  in  the  woods  on  the  left,  we  knew  that 
they  were  at  it,  too.  We  continued  to  advance  and  soon 
met  the  enemy  with  a  volley;  they  turned  and  ran,  we 
pursuing.  We  kept  up  the  pursuit  for  three-quarters  of  a 
mile,  when  we  halted,  and  were  ordered  back.  We  had 
made  a  clean  sweep, —  not  a  Yankee  could  be  seen  in  our 


2S8  ONE  OF  JACKSON'S  FOOT  CAVALRY 

front.  Falling  back  about  half  a  mile,  Terry's  Brigade 
was  ordered  to  form  in  line  with  Rodes'  Division, — 
which  arrived  a  little  later  than  we,  and  had  advanced 
on  the  enemy  in  their  front  and  repulsed  them  as  easily 
as  we  did.  After  we  made  the  connection  with  his  line, 
we  lay  down  to  rest.  We  had  been  in  action  only  about 
an  hour,  and  we  thought  we  had  gained  an  easy  victory. 
Gen.  Early  said  it  was  a  grand  sight  to  see  those  two 
divisions  numbering  a  little  over  5,000  muskets  hurl  back 
in  utter  disorder  the  immense  body  of  the  attacking 
force,  consisting  of  the  Sixth  and  Nineteenth  Corps! 

We  heard  that  Gen.  Rodes  had  been  killed,  and  was 
lying  near  Gordon's  right.  Our  men  were  much  grieved, 
because  Rodes  had  been  associated  with  us  so  long,  and 
Gordon's  men  had  become  very  much  attached  to  him. 
He  was  a  gallant  soldier  and  splendid  fighter,  and  we 
lost  a  great  man  in  his  fall.  The  loss  in  Gordon's  divi- 
sion at  this  time  was  very  small ;  Brig.-Gen.  York,  of 
the  Louisiana  Brigade,  was  wounded,  and  Gen.  Terry 
had  his  horse  killed  under  him.  Through  an  opening  in 
the  woods  on  our  right,  we  saw  Ramsuer  on  the  extreme 
right  of  Early's  line,  still  heavily  engaged,  but  gaining 
ground.  Along  Gordon's  and  Rodes'  front  not  a  sound 
was  heard  and  not  an  enemy  was  in  sight,  but  the  still- 
ness was  soon  broken  by  the  advance  of  a  brigade  of  the 
enemy  through  a  field  on  our  left,  towards  the  woods. 
Evans'  Brigade  was  in  those  woods,  the  same  that  was 
occupied  by  the  enemy  in  our  attack  on  them,  from 
which  they  were  driven  by  Evans.  This  body  of  the 
enemy  advanced  in  splendid  line, —  our  brigade  on  their 
flank  could  see  down  their  entire  line  as  they  advanced 
on  level  ground.  When  they  came  within  firing  dis- 
tance, Evans  let  them  have  his  fire;  they  halted  at  once; 


ONE  OF  JACKSON'S  FOOT  CAVALRY     259 

we  saw  the  dead  and  wounded  on  the  ground,  and  many 
wounded  going  to  the  rear.  They  advanced  again, — 
their  men  under  Evans'  fire  falling  as  they  advanced,— 
they  entered  the  woods,  we  heard  the  heavy  fighting 
there,  and  soon  we  saw  the  enemy  hurriedly  driven  out, 
disappearing  behind  the  hills.  This  ended  the  fighting 
of  Gordon's  Division  at  this  part  of  the  line. 

Far  around  on  our  left,  on  the  valley  pike,  little  fight- 
ing had  taken  place,  as  only  a  few  of  the  enemy  had 
made  their  appearance.  Now  they  came,  nearly  the 
whole  of  Sheridan's  cavalry,  and  it  must  be  recalled  that 
they  were  as  many  as  Early's  entire  army.  A  corps  of 
infantry  accompanied  them.  They  advanced  up  the 
valley  pike  and  charged  our  weak  force,  consisting  of 
a  small  cavalry  force  and  a  brigade  of  infantry  from 
Wharton's  Division.  As  stated  by  a  northern  writer, 
"Hell  broke  loose  now!"  Our  cavalry  and  the  small 
infantry  force  was  soon  driven  back,  but  fought  so  stub- 
bornly that  the  Yankees  made  little  progress.  Our 
force  was  reinforced  by  Gen.  Early  as  soon  as  possible. 
Now  the  hardest  fighting  of  the  day  took  place.  Our 
men  were  flanked,  new  lines  were  formed  to  be  flanked 
again,  but  our  men  stood  to  their  work  fighting  every 
inch  of  the  way. 

Orders  now  came  for  Gordon's  Division  to  go  to  the 
assistance  of  the  left;  we  retired  through  some  bushes, 
then  through  a  large  open  wood,  into  a  field, — this  field 
was  immense  and  surrounded  Winchester.  We  heard 
the  heavy  fighting  on  the  left  of  our  line  as  we  went 
through  the  woods,  and  reaching  the  opening,  saw  the 
whole  field  in  the  direction  of  the  valley  pike  filled  with 
men  fighting;  saw  that  our  men  were  being  driven,  and 
that  parts  of  the  Yankee  cavalry  had  possession  of  some 


260  ONE  OF  JACKSON'S  FOOT  CAVALRY 

of  the  hills  which  overlooked  the  surrounding  country. 
When  we  reached  a  large  white  house,  the  last  outside 
of  Winchester,  Generals  Early,  Breckenridge,  and  Gor- 
don came  riding  together  from  our  right  towards  the 
left,  and  reaching  our  division  they  told  the  men  they 
desired  to  make  a  stand  there.  The  Major  of  the  21st 
Va.  Regt,  the  only  field  officer,  not  being  in  sight  at  the 
time,  the  Adjutant  approached  General  Gordon  and  de- 
clared to  him  that  our  color-bearer  would  take  his  colors 
anywhere  he  might  order  them,  and  desired  to  know 
where  he  wished  the  line  to  be  formed.  His  answer  was 
"  Right  here."  "  Men,  form  on  the  colors  of  the  21st." 
was  his  command.  Our  color-bearer,  Cumbia,  halted, 
faced  towards  the  enemy,  stepped  out  a  few  paces, 
stopped,  and  waved  his  flag.  The  21st  Va.  Regt. 
dressed  on  him,  and  the  line  grew  each  minute  from 
other  commands.  The  sharpshooters  of  the  enemy  then 
made  their  appearance,  and  a  body  of  them  took  pos- 
session of  the  brick  house  and  outbuildings  about  three 
or  four  hundred  yards  in  our  front,  and  opened  fire  on 
us  at  once.  We  then  saw  a  line  of  battle  of  the  enemy 
approaching,  appearing  to  be  a  brigade.  They  advanced 
in  splendid  order,  and  when  they  came  within  about 
four  hundred  yards  of  us,  a  colonel  who  was  standing 
on  my  right  and  a  short  distance  from  me,  gave  the 
order  to  fire.  I  ordered  the  21st  Va.  Regt.  to  hold  their 
fire,  and  turning  to  the  colonel,  asked  that  the  enemy 
be  allowed  to  come  nearer.  At  this  moment  a  shot 
wounded  me  in  the  knee.  It  did  not  hurt  much,  I  had 
been  struck  a  few  minutes  before  on  the  shoulder  by  a 
spent  ball,  which  hit  hard  enough  to  raise  a  knot,  but 
did  not  break  the  skin.  As  the  ball  fell,  I  stooped  down, 
took  it  up  and  put  it  into  my  pocket,  thinking  no  more 


ONE  OF  JACKSON'S  FOOT  CAVALRY     261 

of  it  until  I  received  this  second  shot  which  I  thought 
was  of  the  same  character;  but  in  a  few  mintues  I  be- 
came so  sick  that  I  was  compelled  to  lie  down.  One  of 
my  comrades  ran  to  me  and  asked  if  I  was  shot.  I  re- 
plied, "  I  don't  think  I  am ;  it  was  a  spent  ball."  By  this 
time  I  was  so  sick  that  I  thought  my  time  to  die  had 
come,  and  as  I  looked  at  my  knee,  I  saw  the  blood  run- 
ning freely  down  my  pants.  The  enemy  on  the  hill  had 
a  battery  on  our  flank,  enfilading  our  line.  Two  of  my 
comrades  took  me  by  my  arms  and  carried  me  off  the 
field.  After  going  a  short  distance  I  begged  to  be  al- 
lowed to  lie  down,  thinking  I  would  otherwise  die.  They 
would  not  listen  to  me  while  the  cannons  were  plowing 
great  gaps  in  the  earth  all  around  us,  but  they  promised 
that  as  soon  as  they  reached  a  large  rock,  which  we  were 
approaching,  they  would  let  me  lie  down  under  its  pro- 
tection. We  soon  reached  it,  and  I  lay  at  full  length 
in  hopes  of  getting  some  relief,  but  a  cannon  shot  struck 
the  rock,  glanced,  and  went  up  out  of  sight.  In  an  in- 
stant I  wras  taken  up  by  my  comrades  and  carried  on, 
and  we  reached  the  first  house  in  Winchester,  a  small, 
one-story  brick  building  at  the  corner  of  an  alley.  I 
was  allowed  to  lie  down  behind  this,  and  almost  instantly 
a  cannon  shot  went  crashing  through  it,  throwing  pieces 
of  brick  and  mortar  on  us.  They  had  me  going  again 
at  once.  I  met  Richie  Green,  an  old  F,  who  was  sorry 
he  could  not  do  anything  for  me.  Soon  after  we  met 
Ira  Blunt,  our  hospital  steward  and  also  an  old  F.  He, 
running  to  me,  put  a  canteen  to  my  lips  and  told  me  to 
take  a  good  pull.  I  drank  some  new  apple  brandy;  its 
effect  was  instantaneous.  I  felt  perfectly  well.  Thank- 
ing him,  I  went  on  looking  for  our  surgeon.  I  was 
then  in  Winchester,  and  as  I  turned  the  corner  of  the 


262  ONE  OF  JACKSON'S  FOOT  CAVALRY 

next  street,  I  saw  our  surgeon  mounting  his  horse.  I 
called  him,  he  rode  to  meet  me,  and  said  he  had  sent 
all  his  stores  to  the  rear,  and  had  just  mounted  his  horse 
to  follow,  but  that  he  would  get  me  away  if  possible. 
All  the  ambulances  he  knew  anything  of  had  gone.  Just 
at  this  moment  an  ambulance  turned  the  corner  into  our 
street,  and  came  towards  us  with  the  mules  in  a  run. 
The  surgeon  ordered  the  driver  to  stop.  For  answer, 
he  whipped  his  team  into  a  faster  gait.  Our  surgeon 
mounted  his  horse,  and  putting  him  into  a  run,  overtook 
the  ambulance  and  catching  one  of  the  mules,  by  main 
force,  stopped  it.  I  went  forward  and  when  I  reached 
it,  my  two  comrades  pitched  me  in  behind.  The  sur- 
geon let  the  mules  go,  and  we  were  off !  The  ambulance 
was  filled  with  medical  chests,  and  I  tried  to  arrange 
them  so  as  to  make  a  comfortable  seat,  but  could  not.  In 
the  hinder  part  of  the  ambulance  was  a  chest,  and  at  its 
end  was  a  bucket,  the  handle  of  the  chest  coming  over 
the  bucket  in  such  a  manner  that  the  bucket  could  not 
be  moved;  the  other  part  of  the  ambulance  was  filled 
with  chests  piled  one  on  top  of  the  other,  leaving  only 
the  chest  in  the  rear  fur  me  to  sit  on.  I  managed  to 
put  the  foot  of  my  wounded  leg  in  the  bucket,  and  let 
my  good  leg  hang  out.  By  this  time  the  ambulance 
caught  up  with  the  wagon  train,  moving  up  the  valley 
pike  two  abreast.  The  enemy  on  the  right  of  our  line 
now  opened  on  our  wagon  train  with  one  piece  of  artil- 
lery. The  first  shot  they  fired  went  over  the  train  a 
little  in  front  of  my  ambulance,  the  next  shot  went 
through  the  top  of  the  wagon  just  in  front  of  us. 
Amidst  cracking  of  whips,  yells,  and  oaths,  the  wagon 
train  went  in  a  hurry  up  the  pike !  In  a  few  minutes 
they  got  behind  the  woods,  and  the  firing  from  the  Yan- 


ONE  OF  JACKSON'S  FOOT  CAVALRY     263 

kee  gun  ceased.  My  ambulance  driver  became  demoral- 
ized, wheeled  his  team  to  the  right,  and  over  the  stone 
wall  he  went!  How  it  was  done  I  shall  never  know, 
but  he  did  it,  and  through  the  field  his  flying  mules  went! 
It  was  an  old  corn  field,  and  the  reader  may  know  how 
comfortable  I  was !  We  went  over  several  cross  walls, 
and  finally,  along  in  the  night,  reached  the  pike  again 
and  continued  our  ride  until  about  8  o'clock  the  next 
morning,  when  the  ambulance  was  halted  by  a  surgeon 
on  the  road  side.  The  driver  was  told  to  take  his  mules 
out,  water  and  feed  them.  I  was  so  sore  that  I  could 
hardly  move,  and  asked  the  driver  to  help  me  down,  but 
he  positively  refused !  I  however  got  out,  made  my  way 
to  a  branch  near  by,  got  a  drink  of  water,  washed  my 
face,  came  back  to  the  ambulance,  and  breakfasted  on 
articles  in  a  Yankee  haversack,  which  I  took  the  day 
before  from  one  of  their  dead.  I  will  state  here  that 
the  only  rations  I  had  after  leaving  Winchester  until  I 
arrived  at  Staunton,  were  out  of  that  haversack,  and 
since  it  was  such  a  good  friend,  I  carried  it  home !  While 
I  was  eating  my  breakfast,  a  surgeon  came  and  asked 
the  driver  whom  he  had  in  his  ambulance.  I  told  him 
who  I  was  and  my  command,  and  asked  him  to  look 
at  my  wound  and  say  if  it  needed  anything.  His  in- 
human reply  was,  "  As  you  do  not  belong  to  my  com- 
mand, you  must  get  your  own  surgeon."  After  an  hour 
or  two  of  rest  the  team  was  hitched  up,  and  I,  fearing 
I  might  be  left,  took  my  old  place  in  the  ambulance, 
while  the  hitching  was  done.  I  prevailed  on  the  driver 
just  before  we  started,  to  pull  off  my  boot, —  it  was  full 
of  blood  and  running  over  the  top !  Soon  after  it  was 
pulled  off,  my  wound  seemed  to  stop  bleeding,  and  I  pro- 
ceeded more  comfortably.     Wre  rode  until  four  o'clock 


264  ONE  OF  JACKSON'S  FOOT  CAVALRY 

in  the  afternoon,  when  we  halted  at  a  church  in  Wood- 
stock. Flere  the  ladies  brought  to  the  wounded  fruit, 
flowers,  eatables,  water  and  bandages,  and  made  them- 
selves very  useful  to  two  or  three  hundred  wounded.  A 
surgeon  cut  open  my  pants  and  drawers,  and  examined 
my  wound  and  dressed  it, — ■  this  was  the  first  time  it 
was  seen  even  by  myself.  It  had  hurt  me  none  to  speak 
of.  About  sunset  the  wounded  were  put  into  wagons 
on  a  little  straw  and  started  up  the  pike.  Riding  all 
night,  stopping  a  short  time  during  the  morning  and  then 
continuing  until  night,  when  we  rested.  We  traveled 
thus  until  we  reached  Staunton,  two  days  after  we  left 
Woodstock,  where  my  wound  was  dressed  the  second 
time  after  I  was  shot.  From  Staunton,  we  were,  the 
next  morning,  carried  to  Charlottesville,  where  the  ball 
was  taken  out.  I  write  this  lengthy  narrative  of  myself, 
because  it  was  the  experience  of  hundreds  in  this  battle! 

Returning  to  the  account  of  the  battle,  our  left  being 
driven  back,  the  new  line  which  had  been  moved  back 
occupied  some  slight  breastworks.  Here  the  enemy  were 
checked,  and  as  night  approached  Gen.  Early's  force  re- 
tired up  the  valley.  On  reaching  Fisher's  Hill  he  took 
position,  whence  he  was  driven  on  the  22d,  with  a  con- 
siderable loss.  Among  the  killed  in  that  engagement 
was  our  old  comrade,  Col.  A.  S.  Pendleton,  Adjutant 
General  of  the  Second  Corps.  He  was  one  of  the  first 
officers  appointed  on  Jackson's  staff  and  had  been  with 
us  since  the  commencement  of  the  war;  he  was  a  gallant 
and  splendid  officer,  beloved  by  all  the  old  command. 

The  battle  of  Winchester  was  as  hotly  contested  as 
any  of  the  war,  and  was  a  regular  stand-up  fight;  but  we 
were  so  outnumbered  that  we  could  not  prevent  the 
flanking  by  the  enemy. 


ONE  OF  JACKSON'S  FOOT  CAVALRY     265 

I  do  not  agree  with  the  Northern  writer  alluded  to 
before,  who  said :  "  Early  was  beaten  before  that  battle 
commenced  from  the  great  disparity  in  numbers."  He 
also  said:  "  When  Early  was  driven,  he  left  a  track  of 
blue  killed  and  wounded  in  his  rear."  Our  loss  in  the 
evening  was  heavy.  Among  the  wounded  was  Maj.- 
Gen.  Fitz  Lee. 

In  F  Company,  N.  Dowdy,  J.  C.  English  and  G.  W. 
Houston  were  wounded. 

Here  is  an  interesting  incident  about  the  battle  of  Win- 
chester taken  from  Gen.  Phil  Sheridan's  autobiography: 

"  Gen.  Sheridan,  wanting  to  know  something  as  to 
Early's  army,  learned  of  an  old  colored  man,  who  had 
a  permit  from  the  Confederate  commander  to  go  into 
Winchester  and  return  three  times  a  week  for  the  pur- 
pose of  selling  vegetables  to  the  inhabitants.  The  scouts 
sounded  the  man,  and  finding  him  both  loyal  and  shrewd, 
suggested  that  he  might  be  made  useful  to  us  within  the 
enemy's  lines ;  and  the  proposal  struck  me  as  feasible, 
provided  there  could  be  found  in  Winchester  some  relia- 
ble person  who  would  be  willing  to  cooperate  and  corres- 
pond with  me.  I  asked  Gen.  Crook,  and  he  recom- 
mended a  Miss  Rebecca  Wright,  a  young  lady  whom  he 
had  met  there  before  the  battle  of  Kernstown,  who  he 
said  was  a  member  of  the  Society  of  Friends,  and  he 
thought  she  might  be  willing  to  render  us  assistance.  I 
hesitated  at  first,  but  finally  decided  to  try  it.  The  negro 
was  brought  to  his  headquarters,  given  the  letter,  which 
was  written  on  tissue  paper,  wrapped  in  tin  foil  so  that 
it  could  be  placed  in  the  man's  mouth,  and  instructed,  if 
searched  by  the  Confederate  picket,  to  swallow  it.  Early 
next  morning  it  was  delivered  to  Miss  Wright,  the  negro 


266  ONE  OF  JACKSON'S  FOOT  CAVALRY 

telling  her  he  would  come  back  in  the  evening  for  an  an- 
swer. The  evening  before  a  convalescent  Confederate 
officer  had  visited  her  mother's  house,  and  in  conversa- 
tion about  the  war  had  disclosed  the  fact  that  Kershaw's 
division  of  infantry  and  Cutshaw's  battalion  of  artillery 
had  started  to  rejoin  Gen.  Lee.  Miss  Wright  now  per- 
ceived the  value  of  the  intelligence,  and  determined  to 
send  it  at  once." 

Here  is  a  copy  of  Gen.  Sheridan's  letter,  and  Miss 
Wright's  answer: 

"  I  learned  from  Major  General  Crook  that  you  are  a 
loyal  lady,  and  still  love  the  old  flag.  Can  you  inform  me 
of  the  position  of  Early's  forces,  the  number  of  divisions 
in  his  army,  and  the  strength  of  any  or  all  of  them,  and  his 
probable  or  reported  intentions?  Have  any  more  troops 
arrived  from  Richmond,  or  are  any  more  coming,  or  re- 
ported to  be  coming? 

"  I  am,  very  respectfully,  your  most  obedient  servant, 
"  P.  H.  Sheridan,  Major  General  Commanding. 

"You  can  trust  the  bearer." 

"  September  16,  1864. 
"  I  have  no  communication  whatever  with  the  rebels,  but 
will  tell  you  what  I  know.  The  division  of  General  Ker- 
shaw, and  Cutshaw's  artillery,  twelve  guns  and  men,  Gen- 
eral Anderson  commanding,  have  been  sent  away,  and  no 
more  are  expected,  as  they  cannot  be  spared  from  Rich- 
mond. I  do  not  know  how  the  troops  are  situated,  but  the 
force  is  much  smaller  than  reported.  I  will  take  pleasure 
hereafter  in  learning  all  I  can  of  their  strength  and  posi- 
tion, and  the  bearer  may  call  again. 

"  Very  respectfully  yours, 


ONE  OF  JACKSON'S  FOOT  CAVALRY     267 

The  above  letter  from  Miss  Wright  is  not  signed  in 
Gen.  Sheridan's  book. 

I  thought  while  writing  this  I  would  see  if  I  could 
find  the  negro,  too.  So  wrote  to  Major  Saml.  J.  C. 
Moore  of  Berryville,  Va.,  an  officer  on  Gen.  Early's 
staff,  asking  him  if  he  could  give  me  the  name  of  the 
negro  who  carried  the  letter.     Here  is  his  answer : 

"  In  1869  I  employed  a  negro  man  as  gardener,  whose 
name  was  Tom  Laws.  I  had  heard  something  about 
his  being  the  man  who  was  the  bearer  of  the  letter,  and 
I  broached  the  subject  to  him.  At  first  he  was  not  in- 
clined to  talk  about  it,  but  upon  my  assuring  him  that 
I  would  not  harm  him,  I  got  him  to  talk  freely  about 
it.  On  the  17th  of  September,  1864,  he  went  to  Win- 
chester to  see  some  relations  he  had  there.  Miss  Re- 
becca Wright,  having  heard  he  was  in  town,  sought  him 
and  told  him  to  come  to  her  house  before  he  left.  He 
went  there,  when  she  asked  him  when  he  was  going 
home,  he  told  her  he  was  ready  to  start  at  once.  She 
then  said  she  wanted  him  to  carry  a  letter  to  Gen.  Sher- 
idan, and  taking  a  small  piece  of  thin  tissue  paper,  she 
wrote  upon  it,  and  then  enveloped  it  in  a  small  piece  of 
tin  foil,  which  she  gave  him,  and  charged  him  that  he 
must  not  let  the  rebels  get  it,  and  if  they  caught  him 
he  must  swallow  it,  that  if  they  found  it  on  his  person 
they  would  kill  him,  and  it  might  cost  her  her  life.  She 
directed  him  to  give  it  to  no  one  but  Gen.  Sheridan  in 
person.  He  found  the  general  and  gave  the  note  to  him, 
who  read  it,  and  promised  him  he  should  be  paid  fifty 
dollars  in  money  for  bringing  it,  but  he  never  got  the 
money." 

Gen.    Sheridan   said   this   information  caused  him  to 


268  ONE  OF  JACKSON'S  FOOT  CAVALRY 

decide  to  attack  Early  the  next  morning,  but  having 
received  a  telegram  from  Gen.  Grant,  who  said  he  was 
coming  to  see  him  that  day,  he  determined  to  defer  it. 
After  his  conference  with  Gen.  Grant  he  decided  to  at- 
tack the  next  morning,  and  that  letter  brought  on  the 
battle  of  Winchester. 


XXXI 

RETURNS    OF    SECOND    ARMY    CORPS,    A.     N.    VA.,    AUG.    3 1 

1864 

Returns  of  Second  Army  Corps,  A.  N.  Va.,  Aug.  31, 
1864,  and  Organization  of  Early's  Command  in  the  Val- 
ley, Aug.  20,  1864.  From  War  Records.  They  give 
the  number  of  Early's  infantry  with  the  exception  of 
one  brigade  of  Wharton's  division,  and  his  artillery,  but 
omit  the  cavalry  and  horse  artillery. 

There  was  skirmishing  daily  with  Sheridan,  in  which 
our  cavalry,  infantry  and  artillery  participated.  Losses 
were  inevitable  and  reduced  these  figures  by  Sept.  19, 
when  the  battle  of  Winchester  took  place. 


270 


ONE  OF  JACKSON'S  FOOT  CAVALRY 


Returns    of    Second    Corps   A.    N.    Ya.. 
Aug.    31,     1864.     Lieut.    Gen. 
Jubal   A.    Early. 


Rodes'    Division,    Maj.-Gen.    R.    E. 
Rodes 
Battle's  Brigade,  Brig.-Gen.    C.   A.    Battle 
Grimes'    Brigade,    Brig.-Gen.    B.    Grimes 
Cook's    Brigade,     Brig.-Gen.     P.     Cook.  . 
Cox's    Brigade,    Brig.-Gen.    W.    R.    Cox. 

Total      

Gordon's   Division,    Maj.-Gen.    J.    B. 

Gordon  . 

Terry's    Brigade,    Brig.-Gen.    W.    Terry. 

York's     Brigade,     Brig.-Gen.     Z.     York. 

Evans'    Brigade,    Col.    E.    N.    Atkinson. 

Total     

Early's    Division,    Maj.-Gen.     S.    D. 

Ramsuer 

Pegram's       Brigade,       Brig.-Gen.       Jno. 

Pegram      

Johnston's     Brigade,     Brig.-Gen.     R.     D. 

Johnston      

Goodwin's  Brigade,.  Brig-Gen.  A.  C. 
Goodwin      

Total     

Artillery  —  Nelson 

Braxton's  Battalion,  Lt.  Col.  C.  M. 
Braxton     

Nelson's  Battalion,  Capt.  T.  J.  Kirk- 
patrick      

McLaughlin's  Battalion,  Maj.  \V.  Mc- 
Laughlin     

Total     

Grand     Total      

Wharton's  Division 

Wharton's    Brigade     

Echol's    Brigade     

Smith's     Brigade      


<L) 

<D 

«^£ 

<U 

ho"  * 

to 

<Ph£ 

951 

1163 

883 

1091 

674 

883 

797 

973 

3305 

41 10 

864 

987 

658 

813 

1311 

1526 

2S33 

3326 

621 

851 

61S 

774 

806 
2045 

935 

2560 

243 

284 

275 

314 

262 

7S0 

8963 

638 

316 

914 

10910 

S03 

3252 
3293 
2421 
4052 


13,018 


6485 
3507 
4204 


14,196 


2325 
2401 
2270 


6996 

380 
459 
454 


1293 


£  "  <u 


95i 
832 
599 
679 

3061 


783 
6S8 
1210 

2651 


599 

598 

775 

1972 

280 
275 
247 
802 


It  will  be  seen  from  the  above  that  the  report  of  Wharton's  Division  is 
only  partial,  and  there  is  no  Report  of  Cavalry.  Sheridan's  force  at  same 
time   was   56,958. 


ONE  OF  JACKSON'S  FOOT  CAVALRY     271 


ORGANIZATION    OF    EARLY'S    COMMAND    IN    THE    VALLEY    AUG.    20,     1864. 

RODES'    DIVISION 

Maj.-Gen.  Robert  E.  Rodes 

Cook's  Brigade 
Brig.-Gen.   Philip   Cook. 
4th  Georgia,    Lt.    Col.    Wm.    H. 

Willis. 
12th  Georgia,   Capt.  Jas.  Everett. 
21st  Georgia,     Capt.     Henry     T. 

Battle. 
24th  Georgia,    Lt.    Col.    Jas.    W. 
Beck. 

Cox's   Brigade 
Brig.-Gen.    William   R.    Cox. 
1st  North  Carolina,   Capt.   Wm. 

H.   Thomson. 
2d  North  Carolina, 


Battle's  Brigade 
Brig.-Gen.  Cullen  A.  Battle. 
Lt.  Col.  E.  LaF.  Hobson. 

3d    Alabama,  . 

5th  Alabama,  Lt.   Col.   E.  Lap". 
Hobson. 

6th  Alabama,  . 

12th  Alabama,  Capt.  P.  D.  Ross. 
61  st  Alabama,  Maj.  E.  Pinhard. 


Grimes'  Brigade 
Brig.-Gen.  Bryan 

Grimes.  I  Col.    David 

32nd  North  Carolina.  f  G.  Cowand 
53rd  North  Carolina.  J 


Battalion. 
2d  North  Carolina.  I  Col. 


J.    R. 


42d  North  Carolina.  [  Winston 
45th  North  Carolina.  J 


3d  North  Carolina,    Capt.    Wm. 
H.   Thomson. 

4th  North   Carolina,  . 

14th  North  Carolina,     Capt.     Jos. 

Jones. 
30th  North    Carolina,    Capt.   Jno. 
C.   McMillan. 


RAMSUER'S    DIVISION 
Maj.-Gen.  Stephen  D.  Ramsuer 


Pe grain 's   Brigade 

Brig.-Gen.  Jno.  Pegram. 

13th  Virginia,  Capt.  Felix  Hei- 
shell. 

31st  Virginia,  Lt.  Col.  J.  S.  K. 
McCntchen. 

49th  Virginia,  Capt.  Jno.  G.  Lob- 
ban. 

52d  Virginia,  Capt.  Jno.  M. 
Humphreys. 


58th  Virginia,     Capt.     Leroy     C. 
James. 

Johnston's  Brigade 
Brig.-Gen.    Robert   D.    Johnston. 

5th  North  Carolina,  

12th  North  Carolina,  — ■ -. 

20th    North  Carolina,  Col.  Thos. 
F.  Toon. 

23d  North  Carolina,  . 

1st    North    Carolina    Battalion, 
Capt.  R.  E.  Wilson. 


Goodwin's  Brigade 

Brig.-Gen.,  A.  C.  Goodwin. 

6th   North   Carolina,  

21st    North    Carolina,    — — - 

54th    North    Carolina,    

57th    North    Carolina,    


272  ONE  OF  JACKSON'S  FOOT  CAVALRY 


GORDON'S  DIVISION 
Maj.-Gen.  John  B.  Gordon 


Evans'  Brigade 

Brig.  Gen.  Clement  A.  Evans. 

Col.   Edmund  N.   Atkinson. 

13th  Georgia,  Col.  J.   H.   Baker. 

26th  Georgia,  Lt.  Col.  J.  S.  Bain. 

31st  Georgia,  Col.  Jno.  H.  Lowe. 

38th  Georgia,  Maj.  Thos.  H. 
Bomer. 

60th  Georgia,  Capt.  Milton  Rus- 
sell. 

61st  Georgia,  Capt.  Eliphalet  F. 
Shaw. 

12th  Georgia  Battalion,  Capt.  Jas. 
W.   Anderson. 


Brk 


York's  Brigade 
-Gen.    Zebulon    York. 


5th  Louisiana,  - 
6th  Louisiana,  • 
/th  Louisiana, 


1st  Louisiana,  - 
14th  Louisiana, 
2d  Louisiana,  - 
10th  Louisiana,  ■ 
15th  Louisiana, 


Hay's    old 
Brigade. 


Stafford's 

old 
Brigade. 


Terry's 

2d  Virginia, 

4th  Virginia, 

5th  Virginia,  — — 

27th  Virginia ■ 

33d  Virgina, . 

21st  Virginia, 

25th  Virginia,  — — 

42d  Virginia, 

44th  Virginia, 

48th  Virginia, 

50th  Virginia, 

10th  Virginia, 

23d  Virginia,  — — 
37th  Virginia, 


brigade 

Col.  John 
H.  S.  Funk, 
i-  Old  Stone- 
wall Brig- 
ade. 


Col.      Robt. 
>.  H'.    Dungan. 
Old    Second 
Brigade. 

Lt.    Col. 
Samuel     H. 
Saunders. 
01d_  Third 

Brigade. 


WHARTON'S   DIVISION 
Brig. -Gen.  Gabriel  C.  Wharton 


Wharton's    Brigade 

45th  Virginia,  . 

50th  Virginia,   . 

51st  Virginia,  . 

30th  Virginia  Battalion,  — 


Echols'  Brigade 

22d  Virginia,    . 

23d  Virginia    Battalion, 
26th  Virginia  Battalion,  • 


ONE  OF  JACKSON'S  FOOT  CAVALRY  277, 

Smith's  Brigade 
Col.  Thomas  Smith 

36th  Virginia,  . 

60th  Virginia,  Capt.  Albert  A.   P.  George. 
45th  Virginia,   Battalion,   Capt.    W.   B.    Hensly. 
Ihomas  Legion,  Col.  James  R.  Love,  Jr. 

ARTILLERY 

Braxton's  Battalion  King's  Battalion 

Virginia  Battery,  Carpenters.  Virginia  Battery,  Bryan. 

Virginia  Batterv  Hardwicke.  Virginia  Battery,  Chapman. 

Virginia   Battery,    Cooper.  Virginia  Battery,  Lowry. 

Cutshaw's  Battalion  Nelson's  Battalion 

Virginia  Battery,  Carringtons.  Georgia  Battery,  Milledge. 

Virginia  Battery,  Tanner.  Virginia  Battery,  Kirkpatrick. 

Virginia  Battery,  Garber.  Virginia  Battery,  Massie. 

CAVALRY 

Maj.-Gen.  L.  L.  Lomax 

Imboden's    Brigade  Bradley   T.   Johnson's  Brigade 

18th  Virginia, .  8th  Virginia,  ■ . 

23d  Virginia, .  21st  Virginia,  . 

62d  Virginia, .  22d    Virginia,  . 

McCausland's  Brigade  34th  Virginia, . 

14th  Virginia, .  36th  Virginia,  . 

16th  Virginia, .  Jackson's  Brigade 

17th  Virginia, .  2d  Maryland,  . 

25th  Virginia, .  19th  Virginia, ■. 

37th  Virginia  Battalion, .  20th  Virginia,  . 

46th  Virginia,  . 

47th  Virginia,  — — . 

HORSE  ARTILLERY 

Maryland   Battery,  Grippin.  Virginia  Battery,  Lurty. 

Virginia  Battery,  Jackson.  Virginia  Battery,    McClanahan. 

Lt.  Gen.  Anderson's  forces,  consisting  of  the  follow- 
ing, were  in  Culpeper  Co.  and  joined  Early  on  the  17th 
Aug.,  staying  with  Early  until  the  14th  Sept.,  when  they 
returned  to  Culpeper  with  Kershaw's  division  and  the 
artillery,  leaving  Fitz  Lee's  Cavalry  with  Early.  Ker- 
shaw's division  and  the  artillery  again  joined  Early  on 


274  ONE  OF  JACKSON'S  FOOT  CAVALRY 


Sept.  26th,  and  participated  in  the  battle  of  Cedar  Creek 
Oct.  19,  1S64. 

Rosser's  Brigade  of  cavalry  joined  Early  on  Oct.  5, 
'64,  coming  by  way  of  Lynchburg,  and  was  not  with 
Anderson  in  Culpeper. 

KERSHAW'S  DIVISION 
Maj. -Gen.  Joseph  B.  Kershaw 


Conner's  Brigade 
Maj.  James   M.   Goggin. 
2d  South  Carolina,  Maj.    B.    R. 

Clyburn. 
3d  South  Carolina,  Maj.     R.     P. 
Todd. 

7th  South  Carolina, . 

8th  South  Carolina, . 

15th  South  Carolina, . 

20th  South  Carolina,  Col.     S.     M. 
Boykin. 
3d     South     Carolina    Battalion, 
Capt.  B.  A.  Whitenor. 
JVofford's  Brigade 

1 6th  Georgia,  . 

18th  Georgia,  . 


3d  Georgia  Battalion,  . 

Cobb's  Georgia  Legion,  .     . 

Phillips    Georgia    Legion,    . 

Humphreys'  Brigade 
Brig.-Gen.  Benjamin  G.  Hum- 
phreys. 

13th  Mississippi,  . 

17th  Mississippi,  . 

18th  Mississippi,  . 

21st  Mississippi, . 

Bryan's  Brigade 
Col.  James  P.   Simms. 
10th  Georgia,  Col.   W.   C.    Holt. 
50th  Georgia,  Col.  P.  McGlashan. 
51st  Georgia,  Col.   Edward   Ball. 
52d  Georgia,  . 


24th  Georgia, 

ARTILLERY 
Carter's  Battalion 
Alabama  Battery,  Reese.  Virginia  Battery,  Pendleton. 

Virginia  Battery,  W.   P.   Carter.     Virginia  Battery,  Frys. 

CAVALRY 

Fitz  Lee's  Division 

Wickham's  Brigade  Rosser's  Brigade 

1st  Virginia,  .  7th  Virginia,  . 

ed    Virginia,  .  nth  Virginia,  . 

3d    Virginia, .  12th  Virginia,  . 

4th  Virginia, .  35th  Virginia    Battalion,    ■ — 

Payne's  Brigade 

5th  Virginia,    . 

6th  Virginia,   . 

15th  Virginia,  . 

HORSE  ARTILLERY 
Virginia  battery,  Johnston. 
Virginia  battery,  Shoemaker. 
Virginia  battery,  Thomson. 


XXXII 

CEDAR    CREEK    AND    WINTER    1864-5 

The  reader  will  want  to  know  something  of  the  old 
command  after  my  leaving  it.  I  can  give  some  facts 
gathered  from  members  of  my  company. 

After  the  battle  of  Fisher's  Hill,  Early  retired  np  the 
valley  to  Mt.  Jackson, —  Sheridan  following  him  slowly. 
On  the  24th  they  marched  about  five  miles  beyond 
Tenth  Legion,  on  the  road  to  Port  Republic,  and  the 
next  day  to  Brown's  Gap  in  the  Blue  Ridge  mountain, 
where  they  were  joined  by  Kershaw's  division.  On  the 
27th  they  inarched  from  Brown's  Gap  towards  Harri- 
sonburg, and  returned  to  Port  Republic.  There  Gen. 
Early  learned  that  Sheridan's  cavalry  had  gone  in  the 
direction  of  Staunton.  They  marched  to  Waynesboro 
and  Rockfish  Tunnel  to  intercept  the  enemy  in  case  they 
marched  to  those  places.  They  found  that  the  enemy 
had  occupied  Waynesboro  a  short  time  before,  and  they 
attacked  at  once  and  drove  them  back  with  some  loss. 
Early  camped  in  the  neighborhood  until  Oct.  ist,  when 
he  marched  to  Mt.  Sidney  on  the  valley  pike  and  was 
joined  by  Rosser's  brigade  of  cavalry  on  Oct.  5th. 
Early  then  marched  clown  the  valley  to  Fisher's  Hill, 
which  place  he  reached  on  the  13th.  There  he  stayed 
until  the  night  of  the  18th,  when  he  put  his  troops  in 
motion  to  attack  Sheridan,  who  was  in  a  strongly  forti- 
fied position  along  Cedar  Creek.  To  Gordon  was  as- 
signed the  duty  of  attacking  the  enemy  in  their  rear  on 
the  left  of  their  line.     He  moved  down  the  Shenandoah 

275 


276  ONE  OF  JACKSON'S  FOOT  CAVALRY 

river,  fording  it  twice,  and  was  in  line  at  the  designated 
place  as  the  streaks  of  day  appeared,  and  with  a  yell 
dashed  upon  the  enemy !  This  was  the  signal  for  Early's 
line  in  front  to  move  forward,  which  they  did,  and  they 
swept  everything  before  them,  taking  the  fortifications, 
guns,  and  camp  of  the  enemy.  Sheridan's  army  was 
utterly  routed  with  the  exception  of  the  Sixth  Corps, 
which  was  encamped  some  distance  in  the  rear.  They 
formed  a  line  and  marched  back  with  the  fugitives  un- 
til they  reached  Middletown,  when  they  formed  a  line  of 
battle  requiring  such  of  the  fugitives  as  they  could  con- 
trol to  join  them.  Our  line  that  had  been  pursuing  the 
enemy  was  so  thin  that  it  was  not  much  more  than  a 
line  of  skirmishers ! 

The  world  will  never  know  the  extreme  poverty  of  the 
Confederate  soldier  at  that  time!  Hundreds  of  the  men 
who  were  in  the  charge  and  captured  the  enemy's  works 
were  barefooted,  every  one  of  them  was  ragged,  many 
had  nothing  but  what  they  had  on,  and  none  had  eaten 
a  square  meal  for  weeks !  In  passing  through  Sheridan's 
camp  they  had  a  great  temptation  thrown  in  their  way; 
many  of  the  tents  were  open,  and  in  plain  sight  were 
rations,  shoes,  overcoats  and  blankets !  The  fighting 
continued  farther  and  farther,  and  some  of  the  men 
stopped,  secured  well-filled  haversacks,  and  as  they  in- 
vestigated their  contents,  the  temptation  to  stop  and 
eat  was  too  great,  as  they  had  had  nothing  since  the  even- 
ing before,  and  they  yielded.  Others  tried  on  shoes, 
others  put  on  warm  pants  in  place  of  the  tattered  ones, 
others  got  overcoats  and  blankets,  articles  so  much 
needed  for  the  coming  cold !  They  had  already  experi- 
enced several  biting  frosts  to  remind  them  of  the  winter 
near  at  hand.     In  this  way  half  of   Early's  men  were 


ONE  OF  JACKSON'S  FOOT  CAVALRY     277 

straggling,  and  this  accounts  for  his  thin  line  in  front. 

This  was  an  awful  hour!  Gen.  Early  then  noticed 
the  thinness  of  his  line  and  being  informed  of  its  cause, 
sent  officers  back  to  hurry  his  men  up.  His  advance  line 
by  this  time  had  come  up  to  the  enemy  in  their  position 
at  Middletown.  They  attacked  at  once,  but  so  feebly 
and  were  so  easily  repulsed,  that  the  enemy  felt  embold- 
ened, made  an  advance  and  drove  our  men  off  the  field 
of  battle !  The  stragglers  who  arrived  were  not  in  suffi- 
cient numbers  to  check  the  enemy's  advance.  The  fight- 
ing continued  until  night  put  a  stop  to  it.  Gen.  Early 
withdrew  during  the  night  to  Fisher's  Hill,  but,  owing 
to  the  breaking  down  of  a  bridge,  most  of  the  captured 
guns  and  between  fifteen  and  twenty  of  our  own  were 
taken  by  the  enemy.  We  lost  about  one  thousand  men 
taken  prisoners,  but  brought  off  nineteen  hundred  of  the 
enemy,  whom  we  had  captured.  Our  loss  was  heavy, 
and  among  the  killed  was  that  splendid  soldier,  Maj.- 
Gen.  Ramsuer ! 

F  Company  lost  Sergeant  R.  M.  Tabb,  killed ;  Corporal 
W.  C.  Tyree  and  L.  M.  Couch,  wounded.  That  gallant 
young  officer,  Lieut.  M.  L.  Hudgins,  had  command  of  a 
line  of  skirmishers  and  was  shot  through  both  legs,  but 
succeeded  in  bringing  off  his  command,  and  took  to  the 
mountains !  Here  he  was  captured  a  few  days  later 
and  taken  to  Winchester,  and  from  there  sent  to  a 
Northern  prison  to  stay  until  Mar.  30,  1865.  I  was  told 
that  old  man  Mason  of  the  same  company  was  quietly 
walking  to  the  rear,  when  a  Yankee  cavalryman  rode  up 
to  him,  and  with  uplifted  saber,  ordered  the  old  man  to 
halt.  He  looked  over  his  shoulder,  and,  seeing  who  it 
was,  threw  up  his  gun  and  shot  the  Yankee  off  his  horse! 
The  old  fellow  was,  however,  captured  not  long  after! 


278  ONE  OF  JACKSON'S  FOOT  CAVALRY 

Gen.  Early  fell  back  to  New  Market,  but  Sheridan 
did  not  follow  him.  Here  Gen.  Early  stayed  until  Nov. 
ioth.  Learning  that  Sheridan  had  fallen  back  to  Win- 
chester, he  advanced  to  Newtown,  and  from  there  he 
fell  back  again  to  New  Market,  where  in  December, 
Gordon's,  Ramsuer's  and  Rodes'  divisions  left  him  and 
went  to  Petersburg  to  join  Gen.  Lee. 

On  our  march  down  the  valley  we  witnessed  the  van- 
dalism of  the  Yankee  General  Sheridan !  All  the  barns 
and  mills  were  in  ruin,  and  it  soon  became  evident  that 
he  intended  carrying  out  his  boast,  "  that  when  he  was 
done  with  the  valley  a  crow  would  have  to  carry  his 
rations  with  him  in  order  to  get  something  to  eat  in  go- 
ing across  it." 

General    Sheridan    Reports    to   the   Authorities    from 

"  Woodstock,  Oct.  7,  1864. 

"  I  commenced  to  move  back  from  Port  Republic, 
Mt.  Crawford,  Bridgewater,  and  Harrisonburg  yester- 
day morning.  In  moving  back  to  this  point  the  whole 
country  from  the  Blue  Ridge  to  the  North  Mountain 
has  been  made  untenable  for  a  rebel  army.  We  have 
burned  over  2,000  barns  filled  with  wheat,  hay  and  farm- 
ing implements,  over  70  mills  filled  with  flour  and  wheat, 
and  have  driven  in  front  of  the  army  over  4,000  head  of 
sheep;  have  killed  and  issued  to  the  troops  not  less  than 
3,000  .  .  .  and  when  we  get  to  Winchester  the  en- 
tire valley  to  that  point  will  be  a  Wilderness  . 
Lieut.  Jno.  R.  Meigs,  my  Engineer  officer,  was  mur- 
dered beyond  Harrisonburg  near  Dayton.  For  this 
atrocious  act  all  the  houses  within  an  area  of  five  miles 
were    burned."     ...     As    a    matter    of    fact    Lieut. 

Meigs  was  killed  in  a  fight  by    Martin  of  the 

Black  Horse  cavalry. 


ONE  OF  JACKSON'S  FOOT  CAVALRY     279 

"Newtown,  Nov.  10." 

He  reports  "  the  return  of  a  party  which  had  been 
sent  out  for  the  purpose  of  bringing  in  a  lot  of  stock, 
horses,  sheep  and  cattle,  and  the  grain,  barns,  subsistence, 
etc.,  as  far  as  possible  were  destroyed  "... 

Again,  "  Kern  stow  n,  Nov.   11." 

Another  party  returns,  "  bringing  back  300  cattle,  a 
lot  of  sheep  and  horses,  burned  all  the  granaries,  and 
destroyed  all  the  provisions  on  the  road." 

This  wanton  destruction  of  the  property  of  the  citizens 
of  the  valley,  because  they  were  Southern  sympathizers, 
was  uncalled  for,  and  no  excuse  can  ever  justify  it! 
This  was  a  favored  country,  and  to  burn  everything  in 
the  way  of  hay,  grain,  etc.,  barns  and  mills,  not  except- 
ing agricultural  implements ;  to  kill  and  drive  off  all  the 
horses,  stock,  etc.,  belonging  to  those  people  because  it 
would  compel  the  Confederate  army  in  the  valley  to  haul 
those  articles,  was  a  crime  without  reason  or  excuse, 
especially  when  those  citizens  were  not  paid  by  the 
United  States  a  cent  for  their  loss. 

I  think  Gen.  Early  did  everything  a  commander  could 
do  in  the  valley  with  the  number  of  men  he  had  in  his 
command,  and,  as  an  humble  member  of  that  army,  I 
would  like  to  ask  those  who  have  criticized  Gen.  Early 
if  they  ever  thought  of  the  great  disparity  in  numbers 
in  the  two  armies?  It  is  said  that  Sheridan's  cavalry 
alone  numbered  as  many  if  not  more  than  Early's  entire 
force,  and  I  never  heard  Sheridan's  infantry  placed  at 
less  than  thirty  thousand.  Gen.  Early  did  not  have  more 
than  twelve  thousand  men  in  his  entire  army  at  the  battle 
of  Winchester, —  the  first  of  his  disasters.  Let  me  recall 
the  fact  that  Early  was  detached  from  Lee's  army  at 
Richmond,  and  sent  to  Lynchburg  to  intercept  Hunter, 


280  ONE  OF  JACKSON'S  FOOT  CAVALRY 

who  was  marching  on  that  place  with  a  large  force.  He 
disposed  of  Hunter  in  quick  time,  driving  him  beyond 
the  Alleghany  mountains.  He  was  then  ordered  to 
threaten  Washington  City,  which  he  promptly  did.  On 
his  arrival  before  that  place  the  Yankees  concentrated 
a  force  over  sixty  thousand  to  repel  him !  A  large  part 
of  this  force  was  taken  from  Grant's  army  at  a  time 
that  greatly  helped  Lee  at  Petersburg.  Early,  by  his 
activity,  kept  nearly  all  this  force  in  his  front  until  late 
in  the  year  1864.  Gen.  Early  certainly  accomplished 
all,  if  not  more,  than  he  was  sent  to  the  valley  for.  It 
is  needless  for  me  to  say  anything  about  Gen.  Early's 
gallantry  and  fighting  in  the  field.  That  is  too  well 
known. 

Since  the  opening  of  the  campaign  May  2,  1864,  the 
Second  Corps  had  marched  over  sixteen  hundred  miles 
and  fought  seventy-five  battles  and  skirmishes  in  the 
majority  of  which  F  Company  participated.  The  loss 
was  heavy  in  officers  and  men  as  well  as  guns,  but  they 
inflicted  a  loss  on  the  enemy  in  men  and  officers  twice 
as  large  as  the  Second  Corps  numbered,  and  a  great  loss 
in  stores,  etc. 

On  the  arrival  in  Petersburg  of  the  troops  who  left 
Early,  Maj.-Gen.  Gordon  was  made  commander  of  the 
Second  Corps,  it  was  ordered  to  the  front,  and  on  the 
5th  of  Feb.,  1865,  had  a  hard  battle  with  Grant  at  Hatch- 
er's Run.  It  was  in  this  battle  that  the  gallant  Capt. 
Jordan  of  F  Company  distinguished  himself.  While 
the  brigade  was  marching  by  the  flank,  through  a  dense 
pine  wood,  they  were  suddenly  assailed  by  the  enemy's 
sharpshooters.  This  threw  our  men  into  confusion, 
and  they  fell  back  out  of  fire  to  reform  the  line.  Jordan 
at  once  turned  towards  the  enemy  and  succeeded  in  get- 


FIFTH    CAPTAIN    REUBEN    J.    JORDAN 


Opposite  baoe  280. 


ONE  OF  JACKSON'S  FOOT  CAVALRY    281 

ting  seven  men  to  join  him, —  two  from  the  42a!  Va.,  two 
from  the  25th  Va.,  and  three  from  the  21st  Va.  regi- 
ments, among  the  latter  W.  R.  Richeson  of  F  Company. 
Those  men  he  hurriedly  placed  along  the  road  to  stop 
the  advance  of  the  enemy  at  that  point.  They  rapidly 
approached  and  commanded  Jordan  and  his  little  band 
to  surrender;  but  for  answer  they  received  bullets,  and 
when  the  smoke  cleared  up,  one  Yankee  lay  on  the 
ground  and  the  remainder  were  seeking  safety !  At 
this  moment  Gen.  Gordon  rode  up  and  learned  that  the 
advance  of  the  enemy  had  been  stopped  by  Jordan  and  his 
few  men.  He  complimented  them  on  the  spot,  in  that 
peculiar  way  of  his,  which  bound  those  men  to  him  for- 
ever, rode  off  to  the  brigade,  made  a  speech  and  closed 
by  telling  them  "  that  Capt.  Jordan,  by  his  bravery  and 
coolness,  had  with  only  seven  men  stopped  the  advance 
of  the  enemy."  He  hurried  them  forward  and  the  fight 
became  general.  After  the  battle  when  the  troops  had 
returned  to  camp,  Gen.  Gordon  sent  a  messenger  to  Capt. 
Jordan,  asking  the  names  of  the  seven  men,  which  he  de- 
sired to  be  forwarded  to  his  headquarters  through  the 
regular  channels,  as  he  wished  to  publish  to  the  army 
their  names  as  well  as  that  of  Captain  Jordan  for  gallant 
and  heroic  conduct  on  the  field  of  battle!  This  Jordan 
did,  but  the  end  came  before  the  account  of  this  battle 
was  published  —  hence  this  incident  is  not  known  to  the 
public. 

I  would  like  to  say  a  word  about  W.  R.  Richeson,  an 
humble  man  from  Caroline  County,  who  joined  us  in 
1863,  so  infirm  that  he  ought  not  to  have  been  in  the 
army,  but  in  several  battles  he  showed  the  mettle  he  was 
made  of,  and  well  deserved  this  recognition  from  Gen. 
Gordon ! 


282  ONE  OF  JACKSON'S  FOOT  CAVALRY 

In  this  battle  W.  Bates  and  A.  D.  Brown  were 
wounded.  On  Mar.  25th  Gordon  made  an  attack  on 
and  captured  Fort  Steadman.  There  Capt.  Jordan  was 
wounded,  Geo.  Hutchie  Rennie,  J.  A.  Kidd  and  H.  C. 
Fox  were  killed  in  the  attack,  and  N.  C.  Dowdy  captured, 
all  of  F  Company. 

Here  is  what  one  of  the  old  company  says  of  this 
battle:  "On  the  night  before  the  battle  we  were  in 
camp,  and  quietly  sleeping,  when  about  midnight  we  were 
awakened  and  told  to  '  fall  in  '  as  soon  as  possible.  As 
soon  as  the  line  was  formed  we  were  marched  off  hur- 
riedly through  the  woods  and  fields,  over  ditches  and 
fences,  and  finally  formed  a  line  of  battle  facing  east. 
The  streaks  of  day  were  just  beginning  to  show  them- 
selves, when  we  were  turned  loose,  and  we  ran  over  two 
lines  of  the  enemy's  breastworks  almost  before  I  can 
tell  about  it,  the  troops  on  our  right  capturing  at  the 
same  time  the  fort.  We  halted  a  short  time  after  pass- 
ing the  second  line  of  breastworks,  reformed  lines  and 
then  were  ordered  forward  again.  Soon  I  was  captured, 
and  that  is  all  I  know  of  the  battle." 

On  the  retreat  from  Petersburg,  Gordon's  command 
was  the  guard,  and  after  leaving  Amelia  C.  H.  they 
were  engaged  every  hour  of  the  day  and  half  of  the 
night  in  repelling  attacks  by  some  body  of  the  enemy. 
The  hardships  our  men  underwent  in  the  retreat  to  Ap- 
pomattox were  such  that  it  seems  impossible  for  men  to 
go  through  them  and  live !  They  left  Petersburg  with- 
out rations,  on  roads  full  of  mud  from  the  recent  rains, 
marched  all  night  and  nearly  all  the  next  day  before  stop- 
ping to  rest!  Gen.  Lee  had  ordered  a  train  of  cars, 
loaded  with  rations  to  be  at  Amelia  C.  PL  Depot  on  the 
Richmond  and  Danville  railroad,  and  led  his  army  there 


ONE  OF  JACKSON'S  FOOT  CAVALRY     283 

to  get  them.  When  they  arrived,  they  learned  that  by 
the  mismanagement  of  some  officials,  the  train  with  ra- 
tions had  gone  on  to  Richmond,  where  it  fell  into  the 
hands  of  the  enemy!  The  men  of  his  army  had  been 
eating  parched  corn  and  anything  else  they  could  get 
their  hands  on,  with  the  hope  of  getting  something  on 
reaching  Amelia  C.  H.  When  they  learned  that  disap- 
pointment awaited  them,  they  almost  gave  up, —  but  the 
old  spirit  soon  came  back  to  the  army  of  Northern  Vir- 
ginia, and  they  dragged  themselves  along  the  road  on 
their  way  towards  Lynchburg,  where  they  knew  rations 
could  be  gotten.  Combats  nearly  every  hour  with  some 
portion  of  Grant's  force  which  were  this  time  in  ad- 
vance of  our  army  as  well  as  following  close  on  our 
rear.  They  marched  along  this  way  until  they  neared 
Appomattox  C.  H.,  where  they  found  a  train  of  provi- 
sions on  the  Norfolk  &  Western  railroad,  awaiting  them, 
—  the  first  rations  since  they  left  Petersburg! 

The  day  before  reaching  Sailor's  Creek,  Gordon  was 
ordered  to  take  the  front,  and  when  he  reached  Appo- 
mattox C.  H.,  Gen.  Lee  gave  him  an  order  to  advance 
on  the  next  morning,  and  if  the  enemy  be  encountered 
in  numbers  he  must  cut  his  way  through  them.  When 
morning  came  and  Gordon  found  the  enemy  in  large 
numbers  in  his  front,  he  formed  his  line,  ordered  them 
forward,  and  they  made  the  attack  with  so  much  spirit 
that  they  succeeded  in  driving  the  Yankees  and  captured 
two  pieces  of  artillery;  and  when  Gordon  sent  Gen.  Lee 
word  that  he  "  had  fought  his  corps  to  a  frazzle,"  those 
old  fellows  could  be  seen,  and  heard  from  too,  in  that 
frazzle !  My  brother,  who  was  one  of  them,  told  me 
that  at  the  time  the  white  flag  was  raised  by  Gen.  Lee, 
this  same  "  frazzle  "  was  driving  the  enemy  in  its  front! 


284  ONE  OF  JACKSON'S  FOOT  CAVALRY 

You  would  like  to  know  what  became  of  the  colors 
of  the  2  ist  Va.  Regt.  After  it  was  known  positively  that 
Gen.  Lee  was  going  to  surrender,  the  gallant  John  H. 
Cumbia,  who  had  carried  the  colors  for  such  a  long 
time,  tore  them  from  the  staff  —  which  was  a  short  one, 
as  it  had  been  shot  off  by  a  cannon  ball  some  months 
before  —  broke  the  staff  and  threw  it  away !  Then  he 
tore  the  flag  into  small  pieces,  giving  to  each  man  a  piece. 
That  was  a  great  flag!  It  had  inscribed  upon  it  the 
names  of  all  the  battles  from  Kernstown  on,  in  which 
Jackson's  old  division  had  been.  Three  cannon  balls 
had  been  shot  through  it,  and  when  I  left  it,  in  Septem- 
ber, 1864,  over  one  hundred  musket  shots  through  it 
could  be  counted ! 


XXXIII 

THE    EVACUATION    OF    RICHMOND    AND    LEE's    SURRENDER 

I  was  in  Richmond  confined  to  my  bed  with  my  wound 
when  the  city  was  evacuated.  I  cannot  say  that  I  saw  or 
heard  much  of  what  went  on  outside  of  our  house,  as 
there  was  not  a  man  on  the  place  at  the  time  except  my- 
self, and  the  women  were  too  much  alarmed  to  go  out! 
We  heard  many  rumors  Sunday  afternoon.  The  first 
definite  news  was  about  midnight,  when  a  soldier  friend 
came  by  to  bid  us  good-by,  since  he  was  going  away 
with  the  soldiers  who  were  then  marching  through  the 
city.  He  stated  that  the  President,  his  cabinet  and  other 
officials  of  the  government  with  the  archives,  etc.,  had 
left  the  city  by  the  Danville  railroad,  and  as  soon  as  the 
troops  crossed  the  river,  the  bridges  would  be  burned ! 
A  member  of  the  Legislature  called  soon  after  and  told 
us  good-by,  and  said  that  the  members  of  the  Legisla- 
ture were  going  to  Lynchburg  on  the  packet  boat  by  the 
James  river  and  Kanawha  canal.  This  created  a  feel- 
ing of  great  uneasiness  in  our  household.  We  well  knew 
that  the  ever  long  wish  of  the  enemy  to  get  to  Richmond 
would  soon  be  gratified,  and  what  would  be  the  result? 
I  dreaded  the  coming  day,  and  listened  to  every  noise 
I  heard  outside.  Occasionally  I  would  hear  a  report  as 
if  something  was  blown  up,  an  arsenal,  steamer,  or  some- 
thing of  that  kind.  Not  long  before  daybreak,  a  flash 
of  light  came  into  my  room,  brighter  than  the  brightest 
lightning,  accompanied  immediately  by  a  loud  report  with 
rumbling  and  shaking  of  the  house,  and  a  crash  as  if 

285 


286  ONE  OF  JACKSON'S  FOOT  CAVALRY 

the  front  had  fallen !  The  ladies  were  in  my  room  in  an 
instant,  and  as  soon  as  the  outer  door  could  be  opened, 
the  servants  came  in  too !  I  explained  to  them  the  best 
I  could,  that  it  was  the  explosion  of  a  large  quantity  of 
powder,  probably  one  of  the  magazines.  After  they  were 
quieted,  one  of  them  went  into  the  front  room  to  see 
if  anything  had  been  broken.  She  soon  returned  and 
stated  that  the  sash  of  one  of  the  windows  had  been 
blown  into  the  middle  of  the  room,  and  all  the  glass 
was  broken!  About  sunrise  on  Monday,  April  3,  1865, 
the  ladies  left  my  room,  going  to  their  rooms  to  dress 
for  the  day,  the  servants  going  about  their  accustomed 
duties.  When  the  ladies  returned,  they  reported  that  a 
great  fire  was  raging  down  town,  and  it  looked  as  if  the 
whole  city  would  be  burned !  Some  friend  now  called 
and  stated  that  the  rear  guard  of  our  army  had  set  fire 
to  the  Shockoe,  the  Public,  the  Myers  &  Anderson  tobacco 
warehouses,  the  arsenals,  magazines,  etc. !  From  those 
fires,  adjacent  buildings  caught,  and  the  greater  part  of 
the  business  portion  of  the  city  was  in  flames,  with  no 
prospect  of  checking  the  fire !  Fie  also  said  that  the 
city  council  and  some  of  the  prominent  citizens  had  held 
a  meeting  and  decided  to  destroy  all  liquor  in  the  govern- 
ment buildings  and  large  warehouses,  and  that  it  was 
taken  out  of  those  buildings  into  the  streets  and  emptied 
into  the  nearest  culverts;  that  hundreds  of  citizens  were 
pillaging  the  stores  which  were  burning  and  breaking 
into  others  and  taking  everything ;  and  that  the  town  was 
in  the  hands  of  a  mob ! 

About  half -past  seven  my  breakfast  was  brought  me 
by  a  little  negro  boy  eight  to  ten  years  old ;  he  was  de- 
voted to  me  and  a  great  favorite  of  mine,  as  he  was  very 
quick  and  smart.     He  said  to  me,  "  Marse  John,  let  me 


ONE  OF  JACKSON'S  FOOT  CAVALRY  287 

run  down  to  the  corner  and  see  if  I  can  see  any  of  the 
Yankees."  At  that  time  he  had  a  great  horror  of  them. 
After  some  little  begging  on  his  part,  I  let  him  go,  he 
promising  to  return  before  his  mistress  would  miss  him. 
Before  I  finished  my  breakfast  he  returned,  and  on  en- 
tering the  room,  he  said,  "  Marse  John,  they  is  here," — 
he  had  seen  a  squad  coming  up  towards  the  capitol  and 
he  ran  home. 

During  the  boy's  absence  one  of  the  negro  girls  ran 
down  to  the  capitol  square  and  on  her  return  came  into 
my  room  and  stated  that  she  saw  fifteen  Yankees  on 
horseback  ride  up  9th  Street  to  the  capitol  gate,  enter 
and  ride  up  to  the  building.  Some  of  them  dismounted, 
went  inside  and  soon  came  out  on  the  roof,  where  they 
hoisted  a  United  States  flag  on  the  flagstaff!  That 
was  the  first  flag  hoisted  by  the  enemy  in  Richmond. 
This  party  made  a  deep  impression  on  her,  for  they  were 
the  first  body  of  armed  Yankees  she  had  seen ;  she  seemed 
particularly  struck  with  their  uniform  and  long  buck 
gauntlets. 

She  went  out  again  soon  afterwards,  staying  two  or 
three  hours.  She  came  back  with  a  large  blanket  filled 
with  articles  as  numerous  and  as  varied  as  are  in  a  ped- 
dler's pack,  gotten,  she  said,  out  of  stores  on  Main 
street ;  that  all  were  open  and  everybody  was  helping 
himself,  and  she  thought  she  would  do  the  same! 

From  the  great  clouds  of  smoke  hovering  over  the 
city,  it  seemed  that  all  down-town  must  be  burning  up! 
Large  chunks  of  fire  were  falling  on  our  house  and  in  the 
yard, —  the  house  had  been  on  fire  several  times, —  one 
of  the  negro  men  servants  had  come  home  from  fear, 
and  we  had  stationed  him  on  top  of  the  house  to  watch! 
He  stayed  there  all  day.     A  man  or  boy  was  on  nearly 


288  ONE  OF  JACKSON'S  FOOT  CAVALRY 

every  house,  although  in  some  places  the  women  were 
doing  this  duty.  We  were  about  half  a  mile  from  the 
nearest  fire,  and  the  smoke  at  our  house  was  so  dense 
all  day,  that  the  sun  could  not  be  seen  and  the  appear- 
ance out-doors  was  like  that  of  a  heavy  fog  in  the  morn- 
ing. 

About  midday  we  heard  the  music,  cheers,  and  some 
firing  by  a  body  of  the  enemy  marching  on  the  next 
street.  In  our  yard,  near  my  window,  was  a  small 
peach  tree;  I  was  sitting  up  in  bed  and  looking  at  the 
tree  when  the  firing  took  place.  I  saw  a  small  twig  of 
the  tree  fall,  and  almost  at  the  same  moment,  heard  the 
quick  thud  of  a  ball  striking  the  fence!  This  I  call  the 
last  shot  of  Richmond.  We  were  sure  now  that  the  en- 
emy were  in  Richmond.  A  friend  called  and  told  us  that 
nearly  all  the  business  portion  of  the  city  had  been  burned, 
that  the  Yankees  had  quelled  the  mob,  and  that  they  were 
then  engaged  in  stopping  the  fire.  This  they  succeeded 
in  doing  after  severe  exertion  and  blowing  up  several 
buildings  ahead  of  the  fire.  One  of  our  old  negro  wo- 
men was  heard  praying  nearly  all  day;  she  was  in  the 
yard  and  terribly  frightened  by  the  thought  that  the 
fire  would  reach  us  and  burn  her  up. 

Hundreds  of  the  residents  of  the  burned  district  were 
bivouacking  in  the  capitol  square,  having  moved  to  it 
everything  they  could.  It  presented  the  appearance 
of  a  vast  camp,  filled  with  household  goods,  women  and 
children!  Many  had  built  fires,  and  were  cooking  to 
feed  the  hungry  children.  All  the  people  remained  there 
until  the  next  day  and  some  stayed  several  days. 

In  the  evening  we  heard  that  quiet  had  been  restored 
and  that  the  Yankee  soldiers  were  patrolling  the  streets 
and  would  place  a  guard  throughout  the  city  in  order  to 


ONE  OF  JACKSON'S  FOOT  CAVALRY     289 

preserve  order  among  citizens  as  well  as  soldiers ;  that 
they  had  marched  outside  of  the  city  and  would  allow 
no  soldier  except  the  guard  to  go  about  the  streets.  This 
had  a  very  soothing  effect,  the  citizens  not  knowing  what 
would  be  clone  for  the  city.  We  saw  none  of  the  Yan- 
kees except  a  few  now  and  then  passing  the  house, — 
heard  that  all  the  houses  would  be  searched  for  contra- 
band goods  and  Confederate  soldiers !  The  next  morn- 
ing one  of  my  good  neighbors  sent  me  a  piece  of  corn 
bread  and  herring  for  breakfast,  with  the  message  that 
it  was  the  last  of  the  Confederacy! 

On  Wednesday  or  Thursday  our  door-bell  was  rung 
and  the  one  answering  it  met  three  Yankee  officers  at  the 
door!  They  were  invited  in,  and  introduced  themselves 
by  name  and  stated  they  were  members  of  Gen.  Canby's 
staff,  who  was  in  command  of  the  city.  One  of  the 
household  came  and  informed  me.  Thinking  the  best 
thing  to  do  was  to  be  candid  with  them,  I  sent  them  in- 
formation of  my  presence  in  the  house  and  my  condi- 
tion, and  asked  them  to  come  to  my  room  to  see  me. 
This  they  did  at  once,  and  they  were  very  polite  and 
courteous  to  me.  We  had  articles  of  value  and  others 
we  desired  to  keep,  hidden  about  the  house  in  various 
places.  In  my  room  was  a  large  lounge  whose  springs 
were  out  of  order.  In  this  lounge  I  had  placed  two 
sabers,  because  I  thought  they  would  not  be  detected  on 
account  of  the  bad  springs.  When  I  invited  the  officers 
to  take  scats  all  sat  down  on  this  lounge.  I  noticed  that 
some  of  them  moved  about  occasionally,  but  could  not  tell 
whether  their  suspicions  were  aroused  as  to  anything 
being  in  it  or  not.  After  talking  a  little  while  I  told 
them  of  the  hiding-place.  They  laughed,  and  when  they 
left  they  told  me  to  let  them  remain  there  for  the  present, 


290  ONE  OF  JACKSON'S  FOOT  CAVALRY 

as  well  as  anything  else  that  was  hidden,  and  if  any  one 
molested  us  or  any  articles  in  the  house,  to  let  them  know 
at  headquarters !  The  next  day  a  guard  was  placed  on 
that  square  in  front  of  our  house,  which  remained  on 
this  post  for  several  weeks. 

On  Sunday,  April  9,  it  was  rumored  in  Richmond  that 
Gen.  Lee  had  surrendered  his  army.  None  of  the  Con- 
federate people  believed  this.  It  was  confirmed  the  next 
day.  What  a  blow !  The  greatest  army  the  world  ever 
saw,  the  Army  of  Northern  Virginia,  commanded  by  that 
great  soldier,  Gen.  Lee,  had  surrendered !  It  seemed 
impossible!  However  few,  they  would  die  fighting! — 
but  the  officers  thought  it  best  to  save  those  few  men  and 
determined  to  surrender !  Gen.  Grant,  the  Commander  in 
Chief  of  the  United  States  Army,  who  commanded  the 
army  of  the  Potomac  in  person,  paid  the  Army  of  North- 
ern Virginia  its  greatest  tribute,  when  he  said  the  year 
before  that  that  army  could  not  be  beaten,  it  could  only 
be  destroyed,  and  this  he  intended  to  do  by  mere  attri- 
tion, knowing  full  well  when  he  destroyed  one  man,  we 
had  no  other  to  put  in  his  place.  He  was  willing  to  sac- 
rifice ten  of  his  men  to  one  of  ours,  if  necessary.  How 
well  he  carried  this  out  his  campaign  will  tell,  as  the 
Army  of  Northern  Virginia  destroyed  for  him  several 
times  its  own  number  before  it  was  finally  destroyed. 

A  few  days  after  the  confirmation  of  the  surrender, 
the  men  of  Lee's  army  began  to  arrive  in  Richmond, 
and  the  old  Chief  himself  came  riding  alone  to  the  city! 
His  old  followers  immediately  recognized  him  and 
formed  in  line  and  followed  him  to  his  home,  where  with 
uncovered  heads  they  saw  him  enter  his  door,  and  then 
they  silently  dispersed.  This  was  the  last  of  the  Con- 
federacy !   !   ! 


ONE  OF  JACKSON'S  FOOT  CAVALRY     291 

All  realized  that  the  last  hope  was  gone,  and  that  the 
great  struggle  for  secession  was  at  an  end.  Thus  ended 
the  war,  and  at  that  time  the  inhabitants  of  the  South 
were  a  ruined  people. 

"  Furl  that  banner — true  'tis  gory, 
Yet  'tis  wreathed  around  with  glory, 
And  'twill  live  in  song  and  story, 

Though  its  folds  are  in  the  dust; 
For  its  fame  on  brightest  pages, 
Penned  by  poet  and  by  sages, 
Shall  go  sounding  down  the  ages, 

Furl  its  folds  though  now  we  must. 

"Furl  that  banner  —  softly,  slowly; 
Treat  it  gently  —  it  is  holy, 

For  it  droops  above  the  dead ; 
Touch  it  not  —  unfold  it  never, 
Let  it  droop  there,  furled  forever, 

For  its  people's  hopes  are  dead." 


XXXIV 


RETURNING  HOME 


When  the  Confederate  soldiers  returned  from  the 
army  after  the  war  the  majority  of  them  literally  had 
nothing  but  the  ragged  clothing  on  their  backs,  not  even 
a  change !  What  a  sight  met  them  on  their  arrival  at 
home !  Desolation  everywhere.  Many  found  their  fam- 
ilies scattered  all  over  the  state,  different  members  having 
taken  up  their  abode  with  relatives  or  friends  in  such 
sections  as  had  not  been  over-run  by  the  enemy.  Many 
found  dwellings,  barns,  stables,  outbuildings,  fences  and 
literally  everything  except  the  land  gone ;  some  found  a 
few  outbuildings  remaining,  no  fences,  while  others 
found  the  fences  remaining  but  everything  else  gone. 
One  could  travel  along  the  roads  in  certain  sections  of 
the  country  for  miles  and  see  neither  fence  nor  house 
nor  a  single  living  thing,  unless  a  fox  or  other  wild  ani- 
mal should  cross  his  path ! 

While  some  of  the  soldiers  had  their  land,  that  was  all 
they  had, —  no  stock,  no  farming  utensils  or  provisions. 
If  one  had  these  he  was  an  exception.  The  world  will 
never  know  the  poverty  these  men  were  reduced  to,  and 
their  conduct  at  this  time  shines  out  with  more  brilliancy, 
if  such  could  be  the  case,  than  did  their  services  in  the 
army !  They  literally  turned  the  sword  into  the  plowshare, 
and  went  to  work  with  a  determination  to  make  a  living, 
and,  if  possible,  to  recuperate  their  fortunes!  Poverty 
is  a  great  leveler,  and  all  were  on  the  same  footing  now. 

292 


ONE  OF  JACKSON'S  FOOT  CAVALRY     293 

The  men  accepted  any  honorable  work,  and  there  were 
actually  seen  in  the  streets  of  Richmond,  in  the  burnt 
district,  men  cleaning  brick  who  a  short  time  ago  were 
worth  thousands ! 

It  was  not  uncommon  to  see  a  private  and  a  colonel 
in  their  old  uniforms,  working  side  by  side!  The  men 
in  the  country  went  to  work  with  the  same  determina- 
tion —  a  family  who  had  been  raised  in  affluence  and 
luxury,  living  in  a  log  cabin,  the  lady  of  the  house  doing 
the  cooking  and  the  landed  proprietor  following  a  plow 
drawn  by  the  only  horse  on  the  place ! 

All  the  money  made  by  the  men  for  several  months 
was  spent  in  meeting  actual  needs,  and  generally  it  took 
all  they  made  to  feed  the  family.  In  consequence,  the 
old  soldiers  were  still  wearing  their  old  uniforms.  This 
became  a  great  annoyance  to  the  Yankee  army  that  was 
stationed  in  the  South.  The  sight  of  the  old  Confeder- 
ate soldier  going  about  daily  in  his  old  uniform  reminded 
them  too  forcibly  of  the  hard  times  they  had  undergone 
during  the  last  four  years.  In  order  to  remove  these 
uniforms  out  of  sight  as  much  as  possible,  the  military 
authorities  issued  an  order  that  the  brass  buttons  on  the 
coats  and  jackets  of  the  late  Confederate  soldier  must 
come  off  by  a  certain  day.  They  allowed  them  the  choice 
of  covering  the  buttons  with  some  material  that  would 
hide  the  shining  brass  or  cut  them  off,—  but  the  brass 
buttons  must  be  off  or  hidden  from  sight  by  that  date. 
If  the  brass  buttons  were  found  on  their  clothing  after 
that  date,  the  United  States  soldiers  had  orders  to  arrest 
the  offender  and  cut  the  buttons  off.  It  the  man  sub- 
mitted to  this  or  made  no  resistance  he  was  allowed  to 
go  free,  if  he  was  caught  the  second  time  he  would  be 
imprisoned.     Some  of  our  men  thought  this  such  a  fool- 


294  ONE  OF  JACKSON'S  FOOT  CAVALRY 

ish  order  for  the  great  United  States  government  to  is- 
sue, that  they  paid  no  attention  to  it ;  and  many  were 
stopped  in  the  streets  of  Richmond  and  their  buttons 
were  cut  off!  This  accounts  for  many  of  the  old  uni- 
forms that  are  seen  at  this  day  with  buttons  covered  or 
without  brass  or  military  buttons. 

A  few  years  after  the  war  I  met  an  old  comrade  —  it 
was  a  happy  meeting  as  each  had  so  much  to  tell  the 
other  —  when  we  finally  said  good-by,  he  turned  to  me 
and  said : 

"  I  can't  take  up  my  musket 

And  fight  'em  now  no  more, 
But  I  ain't  a-going  to  love  'em, 

Now  that  is  sartin  sure ; 
For  I  don't  want  no  pardon, 

For  what  I  was  and  am, 
I  won't  be  reconstructed, 

And  I  don't  care  a  damn." 


XXXV 


THE  WOMEN  OF  THE  SOUTH 


What  had  the  women  of  the  South  been  doing  all 
this  time?  Would  that  I  had  a  gifted  pen  to  tell  of  the 
noble  deeds  done  by  them !  They  had  not  been  idle. 
Wherever  woman  could  work  or  administer  comfort, 
there  she  was  found. 

As  soon  as  Virginia  seceded,  they  organized  societies 
throughout  the  State  for  work.  In  Richmond  they  met 
daily  at  certain  houses  and  in  the  basement  of  nearly 
every  church,  where  they  made  bandages  by  the  mile, 
lint  by  the  hundred  pounds, —  using  all  the  old  cotton 
and  linen  clothing  they  had  for  this  purpose, —  making 
haversacks,  and  clothing  of  all  kinds.  To  show  with 
what  energy  they  could  work  when  it  was  necessary,  I 
will  narrate  a  circumstance  told  me  soon  after  it  oc- 
curred: During  the  retreat  of  Johnston  from  York- 
town,  Richmond  was  thought  to  be  deficient  in  fortifi- 
cations, and  it  was  suggested  that  if  the  government  had 
bags  they  might  be  filled  with  sand  and  earth  and  placed 
in  position,  thus  forming  a  wall,  and  then  with  earth 
thrown  against  this  on  the  outside,  earthworks  of  great 
strength  could  be  made  very  quickly, —  but  how  to  get 
enough  bags  was  the  trouble!  The  ladies  hearing  of 
this,  sent  a  committee  to  see  the  Secretary  of  War,  offer- 
ing to  make  the  bags  if  he  would  supply  the  material. 
He  gladly  accepted  their  offer  and  in  an  hour  he  had 
delivered  to  the  ladies,  at  various  places  which  they  had 

29s 


296  ONE  OF  JACKSON'S  FOOT  CAVALRY 

designated,  many  huge  rolls  of  cotton.  The  ladies  were 
ready;  cutting  and  making  commenced,  and  the  work 
went  on  all  night.  The  next  morning  thousands  of  fin- 
ished bags  were  delivered  to  the  authorities,  and  in  a 
few  hours  the  work  of  erecting  the  fortifications  was 
begun ! 

The  hospital  committee  were  ever  present,  administer- 
ing to  the  sick  and  wounded.  I  have  heard  numerous 
soldiers  say  they  were  glad  they  were  wounded,  as  the 
careful  attention  received  from  those  women  more  than 
repaid  them  for  the  suffering  they  endured!  Here  is  a 
little  incident  told  me  after  the  war,  by  one  of  the  fash- 
ionable young  ladies,  who  lived  on  one  of  the  fashionable 
streets  of  Richmond  during  the  war.  She  was  one  of 
the  young  ladies  who  composed  one  of  the  hospital  com- 
mittees. In  one  of  the  hospitals  which  she  attended, 
there  was  a  soldier  from  one  of  the  southern  states  who 
was  desperately  wounded,  whom  devoted  nursing  saved. 
He  appreciated  it  and  showed  his  obligation  as  well  as 
a  man  could  by  thanks.  When  he  was  well  and  was  or- 
dered to  his  command  in  the  field,  he  asked  this  young 
lady  if  he  might  call  on  her  at  her  home.  She  told  him 
she  would  be  glad  to  see  him  at  any  time,  and  gave  him 
the  number  of  her  residence.  A  day  or  two  afterwards 
he  called,  and  after  conversing  a  short  while,  he  told 
her  he  knew  that  the  care  given  him  by  the  ladies  had 
saved  his  life,  and  he  had  asked  to  call  in  order  that  he 
might  thank  her  and  at  the  same  time  he  wished  to 
make  her  a  little  present.  This  had  given  him  a  great 
deal  of  thought,  as  his  means  were  very  limited,  but  he 
had  bought  her  what  he  considered  the  best  thing  in  the 
world,  and  he  presented  her  with  a  small  package  of 
"goobers"    (peanuts),  saying  he  wished  he  were  able 


ONE  OF  JACKSON'S  FOOT  CAVALRY     297 

to  give  her  a  bushel !  She  said  to  me  that  she  consid- 
ered that  the  most  valuable  present  she  ever  received,  and 
prized  it  as  such,  because  it  came  from  the  man's  heart; 
and  she  thinks  it  took  every  cent  of  money  he  had  to 
purchase  it ! 

There  were  committees  to  look  after  the  poor  who  had 
a  hard  time,  as  all  were  poor !  They  did  their  duty  as 
nobly  and  faithfully  as  the  others. 

Many  households  had  no  male  person  in  them.  This 
entailed  much  work  and  anxiety  on  the  women  at  the 
head  of  them,  and  especially  was  this  true  in  the  country, 
where  it  was  necessary  to  attend  to  the  business  of  the 
farm,  as  well  as  that  of  the  house.  Many  farms,  and 
some  large  ones,  were  operated  very  successfully  by 
women. 

After  the  war  they  shared  every  hardship  cheerfully, 
and,  with  an  abiding  faith  in  the  men,  they  upheld  them 
in  all  honorable  work,  and  welcomed  their  old  acquaint- 
ances to  their  homes  with  great  cordiality,  regardless 
of  their  rough  hands  and  ragged  clothing. 

God  bless  the  Southern  women  of  those  days !  Would 
that  I  were  able  to  build  a  monument  to  them.  I  would 
have  it  as  high  as  the  steeple  of  St.  Paul's  Church,  and 
in  its  base  a  room,  the  walls  of  which  I  would  adorn 
with  paintings,  telling  the  story  of  their  lives  during  those 
trying  times.  In  the  center  of  this  room,  I  would  have 
a  statue  of  a  Southern  mother,  dressed  in  plain  Confeder- 
ate clothes,  holding  in  one  hand  a  pocket  Bible,  which  she 
is  handing  to  her  boy  who  is  not  old  enough  to  wear  a 
coat,  her  other  hand  pointing  to  the  open  door,  and,  with 
tears  streaming  down  her  cheeks,  telling  him  his  coun- 
try's needs  are  more  than  hers  —  to  go  and  join  the 
army!     Among  the  paintings,   I   would   have  the  wife 


298  ONE  OF  JACKSON'S  FOOT  CAVALRY 

and  daughters  of  Gen.  Robert  E.  Lee,  knitting  socks  for 
the  private  soldiers  of  his  army!  and  Mrs.  Gen.  John  B. 
Gordon,  administering  to  a  sick  or  wounded  soldier  on  the 
roadside  in  the  field.  She  accompanied  the  General  in 
the  field  during  the  war.  I  would  fill  the  room  with  such 
scenes  as  these. 


XXXVI 


GEN.  LEE 


I  was  standing  in  the  door  of  our  headquarters  in  Rich- 
mond about  the  middle  of  April,  1861,  when  my  atten- 
tion was  attracted  by  a  man  approaching ;  he  wore  a  uni- 
form. It  was  not  the  uniform  that  attracted  my  at- 
tention but  the  man  himself.  He  was  tall  and  straight, 
and  I  thought  the  handsomest  specimen  of  manhood  I 
had  ever  seen,  both  in  face  and  figure.  He  made  such 
an  impression  that  as  he  came  opposite  me  I  could  not 
keep  from  looking  at  him,  and  when  he  had  passed  my 
eyes  still  followed  him,  until  I  actually  stepped  outside 
of  the  door  in  order  to  keep  him  in  sight.  About  an 
hour  later  he  returned  up  the  street  and  went  into  the 
Spottswood  Hotel.  I  followed  and  asked  some  friend 
if  he  could  tell  me  who  that  splendid  looking  man  was. 
He  informed  me  that  it  was  Colonel  Robert  E.  Lee. 

The  next  time  I  saw  him  was  on  Valley  Mountain  in 
Pocahontas  Co.,  Va.  (now  West  Va. ).  He  was  a  gen- 
eral in  the  Confederate  army  and  in  command  of  our 
department.  I  saw  him  daily  before  he  was  ordered  to 
another  command.  In  our  advance  to  attack  Mc- 
Clellan  at  Cold  Harbor  in  1862,  after  passing  through 
the  woods  and  reaching  a  field,  the  first  man  we  saw  was 
our  beloved  old  general  on  his  gray  horse,  and  although 
he  was  at  some  distance,  we  recognized  him  at  once. 
He  was  then  in  command  of  the  army  of  Northern  Vir- 
ginia, and  we  joined  him  to  remain  till  the  end  came  at 

299 


3oo  ONE  OF  JACKSON'S  FOOT  CAVALRY 

Appomattox.  I  saw  him  several  times  after  this  around 
Richmond.  The  next  time  I  saw  him  he  was  sitting 
on  a  stump  on  the  battlefield  of  Second  Manassas  ob- 
serving Longstreet's  men  taking  position  in  line  of  battle, 
as  they  came  on  the  field  to  join  Jackson.  I  saw  him 
often  from  that  time  till  Grant's  campaign  of  1864.  The 
last  time  I  saw  him  he  was  at  Spottsylvania  C.  H.,  the 
day  our  corps  left  to  head  Grant  off  at  Hanover  Junc- 
tion. He  appeared  to  me  the  same  ideal  man,  except 
that  his  hair  had  become  almost  white  and  the  dark 
mustache  of  my  first  acquaintance  was  exchanged  for 
a  full  beard  of  gray.  As  our  column  approached  him,  an 
old  private  stepped  out  of  ranks  and  advanced  to  Gen. 
Lee.  They  shook  hands  like  acquaintances  and  entered 
into  a  lively  conversation.  As  I  moved  on  I  looked  back, 
and  the  old  man  had  his  gun  in  one  hand  and  the  other 
hand  on  Traveler's  neck,  still  talking. 

It  was  such  scenes  as  that,  that  made  Gen.  Lee  so  pop- 
ular. He  believed  in  his  men  and  thought  they  could 
do  anything  that  mortals  could  do.  Flis  men  worshiped 
him,  and  I  think  the  greatest  man  the  world  ever  saw 
was  Robert  E.  Lee. 

"  As  troubles  gathered  round  him 

Thick  as  waves  that  beat  the  shore 

Aetra  Cura,  rode  behind  him, 
Famine's  shadow  filled  his  door; 

Still  he  wrought  deeds  no  mortal  men 
Had  ever  wrought  before." 


XXXVII 

RECORD   OF   F   COMPANY,   2IST  VIRGINIA  REGIMENT  OF  IN- 
FANTRY 

ROSTER 

Captains.  R.  Milton  Cary,  enlisted  Apl.  21,  1861 ;  pro- 
moted colonel  of  30th  Va.  Regt.  of  Infantry  June 
15,  1861  ;  and  was  ordered  in  1862  to  Belona  Ar- 
senal to  supervise  the  making  of  cannon  for  the 
army  and  navy.  In  1865  he  was  ordered  to  Golds- 
boro,  N.  C,  and  surrendered  with  Johnston's  army. 
Richard  H.  Cunningham,  Jr.,  enlisted  Apl.  21,  1861 ; 
as  second  lieutenant;  first  lietuenant  May  1,  1861  ; 
captain  May  16,  1861  ;  elected  lieutenant  colonel  of 
the  21st  Va.  Regt.  Apl.  1862;  killed  at  Cedar  Run, 
Aug.  9,  1862. 

William  H.  Morgan,  enlisted  June  1861,  as  adju- 
tant of  the  2 1st  Va.  Regt;  elected  captain  of  F 
Company  Apl.  1862;  killed  at  Cedar  Run  Aug.  9, 
1862. 

William  A.  Pegram,  enlisted  Apl.  21,  1861 ;  pro- 
moted captain  in  1863;  killed  at  Williamsport,  Md., 
July  6,  1863. 

Reuben  J.  Jordan,  enlisted  Apl.  21,  1861;  promoted 
second  lieutenant  1863;  and  captain  in  1864; 
wounded  at  Cold  Harbor,  June  3,  1864;  and  at  Fort 
Steadman  Mch.  25,    1865. 

First  Lieutenant.     James  R.  Crenshaw,  enlisted  Apl.  21, 

301 


302  ONE  OF  JACKSON'S  FOOT  CAVALRY 

1 86 1  ;  promoted  lieutenant  colonel  26th  Va.  Regt. 
of  Inft,  1862.      , 

/r.  Second  Lieutenant.  Philip  A.  Wei  ford,  enlisted  Apl. 
21,  1 86 1 ;  second  lieutenant  May  1,  1861  ;  first  lieu- 
tenant Dec.  1 86 1  ;  promoted  major  and  commissary 
of  subsistence  in  1863. 

First  Sergeant.  Edward  Mayo,  enlisted  Apl.  21,  1861 ; 
promoted  junior  second  lieutenant  May  I,  1861  ; 
first  lieutenant  June  6,  1861  ;  and  resigned  Dec. 
1 861. 

Second  Sergeant.  Henry  T.  Miller,  enlisted  Apr.  21, 
1861  ;  first  sergeant  May  1,  1861  ;  promoted  junior 
second  lieutenant  June  6,  1861  ;  and  adjutant  of  26th 
Va.  Regt.  Nov.  1861 ;  and  captain  25th  Va.  battal- 
ion of  Inft.,  Mar.  16,  1864. 

Third  Sergeant.  John  A.  Pizzini,  enlisted  April  21, 
1861 ;  first  sergeant  June  6,  1861  ;  promoted  lieu- 
tenant of  infantry  in  1862;  wounded  on  Romney 
expedition  winter  1861-2. 

Fourth  Sergeant.  Edward  G.  Rawlings,  enlisted  Apl. 
21,  1 86 1  ;  second  sergeant  June  6,  1861  ;  elected 
second  lieutenant  Apl.  1862;  killed  at  Second  Ma- 
nassas, Aug.  30,  1862. 

First  Corporal.  John  Tyler,  enlisted  Apl.  21,  1861 ; 
sergeant  June  6,  1861  ;  promoted  first  lieutenant 
Letcher  Battery  Feb.  1S62;  transferred  to  staff  duty 
with  Gen.  J.  L.  Kemper. 

Second  Corporal.  Thomas  Ellett,  enlisted  Apl.  21, 
1 86 1 ;  sergeant  June  6,  1861 ;  promoted  lieutenant 
Crenshaw7  Battery  May,  1862;  and  captain  1864. 

Third  Corporal.  Edward  T.  Robinson,  enlisted  Apl. 
21,  1861;  transferred  1861  to  medical  department, 


ONE  OF  JACKSON'S  FOOT  CAVALRY     303 

Fourth  Corporal.  Shirley  King,  enlisted  Apl.  21,  1861 ; 
detailed  by  Secretary  of  War,  1861. 

Anderson,  Archer,  enlisted  Apl.  21,  1861,  promoted  cap- 
tain and  A.  A.  G.  Gen.  Trimbles'  staff  1861  ;  major 
on  Gen.  Holmes'  staff  Feb.,  1862;  lieutenant  col- 
onel on  Gen.  D.  H.  Hills'  staff  July,  1863;  and  in 
1865  as  A.  A.  Gen.,  Gen.  J.  E.  Johnston's  army. 

Anderson,  Junius  H.,  enlisted  Apl.  21,  1861 ;  promoted 
acting  master  C.  S.  Navy  in  1862. 

Anderson,  Joseph  H.,  enlisted  1863;  promoted  corporal 
1863;  wounded  at  Cold  Harbor  June  3,  1864. 

Anderson,  Henry  V.,  enlisted  April  21,  1861 ;  killed  at 
Cedar  Run  Aug.  9,  1862. 

Archer,  William  S.,  Jr.,  enlisted  April  21,  1861  ;  pro- 
moted first  sergeant  April,  1863;  first  lieutenant 
company  K,  48th  Va.  Regt.  of  Inft.  1863;  wounded 
near  Cold  Harbor  June,  1864;  captured  in  the  Val- 
ley of  Va.,  1864,  and  carried  to  Fort  Delaware, 
where  he  remained  until  the  close  of  the  war. 

Ayers,  Edward  S.,  enlisted  April  21,  1861 ;  transferred 
in  1 86 1. 

Barber,  N.,  enlisted  1863. 

Barker,  William  C,  enlisted  April  21,  1861  ;  transferred 
to  Second  company  of  Howitzers  April  10,  1862; 
promoted  lieutenant  in  Letcher's  battery,  1862. 

Bates,  E.,  enlisted  1863;  died  from  effects  of  campaign 
March  10,  1864. 

Bates,  W.,  enlisted  1863;  wounded  at  Hatcher's  Run 
Feb.  5-7,  1865. 

Baughman,  Charles  C,  enlisted  April  21,  1861 ;  trans- 
ferred to  Otey  battery  Nov.  1861. 

Baughman,  George  C,  enlisted  April  21,  1861 ;  pro- 
moted first  lieutenant,  Caskie  battery  in  1861. 


3o4  ONE  OF  JACKSON'S  FOOT  CAVALRY 

Baughman,  Greer  H.,  enlisted  April  21,  1861 ;  trans- 
ferred to  Caskie  battery  as  sergeant  July,  1861 ; 
wounded  at  Cold  Harbor  June  3,  1864. 

Beers,  Henry  H.,  enlisted  April  21,  1861 ;  transferred 
to  Caskie  battery   1862. 

Binford,  James  M.,  enlisted  April  21,  1861 ;  trans- 
ferred  to  signal  corps  1862. 

Binford,  Robert  E.,  enlisted  April  21,  1861 ;  promoted 
first  lieutenant  heavy  artillery,  1862. 

Blunt,  Ira  W.,  enlisted  April  21,  1861  ;  promoted  hos- 
pital steward  21st  Va.  Regt,  Jan.  24,  1862. 

Boyd,  James  N.,  age  15  years.  Joined  us  at  Namo- 
zine  Creek  April  1865.  Captured  a  few  days  after 
at  Sailor's  Creek. 

Bowe,  H.  C,  enlisted  1863,  discharged  June,  1864. 

Bridgers,  David  B.,  Jr.  enlisted  April  21,  1861  ;  trans- 
ferred to  Richmond  Howitzers,  1862. 

Bridgers,  Richard  M.,  enlisted  April  21,  1861  ;  promoted 
captain  of  infantry  March  18,  1862. 

Brock,  R.  Alonzo,  enlisted  April  21,  1861  ;  promoted 
corporal  April  22,  1863  ;  detailed  by  Gen.  Lee  June 
12,  1862,  for  special  service;  promoted  captain  of 
infantry  in  1862. 

Brown,  A.  D.,  enlisted  1863;  wounded  at  Hatcher's 
Run  Feb.  5-7,  1865. 

Brown,  A.  H.,  enlisted  1S63. 

Brown,  George  W.,  enlisted  1863;  wounded  (lost  a 
leg)  at  Wilderness  May  5,  1864. 

Brown,  Henry,  enlisted  1863. 

Brown,  James  R.,  enlisted  1863. 

Bullington,  Henry  N.,  enlisted  April  21,  1861  ;  detailed 
by  Secretary  of  War  in  1861,  for  clerical  service 
with  Gen.  A.  P.  Hill. 


ONE  OF  JACKSON'S  FOOT  CAVALRY  305 

Cabell,  J.  Caskie.  enlisted  April  21,  1861  ;  promoted 
first  lieutenant  company  F,  60th  Va.  Regt.  1861. 

Callis,  G.,  enlisted  1863. 

Child,  Jesse,  enlisted  April  21,  1861  ;  promoted  corporal 
June  6,  1 86 1  ;  and  sergeant  1861  ;  first  lieutenant 
Company  A,  43d  Va.  Regt.,  1S62;  captured  at 
Spottsylvania  C.  H.,  May  12,  1864;  sent  to  Morris 
Island  and  placed  under  fire  of  the  Confederate 
guns  of  Charleston  in  order  to  keep  them  from  fir- 
ing on  certain  points  occupied  by  the  Yankee  army, 
afterwards  taken  to  prison  and  kept  there  until  the 
close  of  the  war. 

Chamberlayne,  J.  Hampden,  enlisted  April  21,  1861  ; 
promoted  lieutenant  Provisional  Army,  Va.,  May 
1862;  and  assigned  as  adjutant  of  artillery  battalion, 
A.  P.  Hill's  division ;  assigned  to  Crenshaw  battery 
Jan.,  1862;  captured  near  Gettysburg,  Pa.,  July, 
1863;  promoted  captain  July,  1864,  and  assigned 
to  the  command  of  a  battery  near  the  Crater;  pro- 
moted major  March,  1865,  and  assignment  not  made 
until  just  before  the  Appomattox  retreat;  com- 
mander of  rear  guard  of  artillery  at  Appomattox 
C.  H.,  April  9,  1865. 

Chapman,  Isaac  W.,  enlisted  April  21,  186 1  ;  discharged 

by  the  Secretary  of  War  Jan.  1862. 
Clarke,  Maxwell  T.,  enlisted  April  21,  1861  ;  transferred 

to   C.   S.   Navy  June,    1861 ;   commissioned  master 

in  charge  of  navy  yard  at  Richmond,  May,   1863; 

and  placed  in  command  of  gunboat  in  James  River 

Squadron. 

Clopton,  Dr.  John,  enlisted  April  21,  1861  ;  promoted 
assistant  surgeon  and  transferred  in  1861. 


3o6  ONE  OF  JACKSON'S  FOOT  CAVALRY 

Cocke,  Lorenzo,  G.,  enlisted  April  21,  1861 ;  died  in 
camp  at  Milboro,  Dec.  1,   1861. 

Cole,  Addison  C,  enlisted  April  21,  1861;  discharged 
by  the  Secretary  of  War,  Jan.  1862. 

Coleman,  N.,  enlisted  1863. 

Couch,  L.  M.,  enlisted  1863;  wounded  at  Payne's  Farm 
Nov.  27,  1863;  and  at  the  Wilderness  May  5,  1864; 
and  at  Cedar  Creek  Oct.   19,   1864. 

Cowardin,  John  L.,  enlisted  April  21,   1861 ;  promoted 

first  lieutenant  and  adjutant  of  Va.  Regt,  in 

Floyd's  command,    1861. 

Craig,  John  A.,  enlisted  April  21,  1861 ;  appointed  hos- 
pital steward,  Feb.,  1864. 

Cumbie,  W.  S.,  enlisted  1863. 

Cumbia,  W.  E.,  transferred  from  24th  Va.  battalion  of 
infantry  1863;  killed  at  Wilderness,  May  5,   1864 

Danforth,  Henry  D.,  enlisted  April  21,  186 1  ;  promoted 
lieutenant  of  ordnance  April,  1862;  and  captain  and 
A.  A.  General  on  Gen.  Hunton's  staff. 

Dill,  Adolph,  Jr.,  enlisted  April  21,  1861 ;  detailed  by 
order  of  the  Secretary  of  War,  1863. 

Dillard,  R.  H.,  enlisted  1863;  wounded  at  the  Wilder- 
ness, May  5,   1864. 

Divers,  W.  H.,  enlisted  1863;  wounded  at  Newtown 
Aug.  11,  1864;  and  died  two  days  afterwards. 

Doggett,  Francis  W.,  enlisted  April  21,  1861 ;  trans- 
ferred to  Dabney's  battery  in  1861  ;  promoted  cap- 
tain of  artillery. 

Dowdy,  Nathaniel  A.,  enlisted  1863;  promoted  corporal 
1864;  wounded  at  the  Wilderness,  May  5,  1864; 
and  at  Winchester  Sept.  19,  1864;  captured  at 
Fort  Steadman  March  25,  1865,  and  was  kept  in 
prison  until  the  close  of  the  war. 


ONE  OF  JACKSON'S  FOOT  CAVALRY     307 

Edmonds,  W.  B.,  enlisted    1863;  captured  at  Spottsyl- 

vania  C.  H.,  May  19,  1864,  and  kept  in  prison  until 

close  of  war. 
Ellerson,  Jock  EL,  enlisted  April  21,   1861 ;  transferred 

to  C.  S.  Navy,  June,  1861. 
Ellett,  Robert,  enlisted  April  21,   1861 ;  promoted  lieu- 
tenant in  Letcher's  battery  Sept.  23,    1861 ;  killed 

in  front  of  Petersburg,  April  2,  1865. 
English,  J.   C,   enlisted   1863;  wounded  at  Winchester 

Sept.  19,  1864;  captured  and  sent  to  Elmira,  N.  Y., 

where  he  died. 
Etting,  Samuel,  enlisted  April  21,   1861 ;  transferred  to 

Caskie  battery  1861 ;  promoted  sergeant  1861. 
Exall,   Charles   H.,   enlisted  April   21,    1861  ;  promoted 

sergeant  in  Letcher's  battery,  May,  1862. 
Exall,  William,  enlisted  April  21,   1861 ;  killed  at  Bath 

Jan.  3,  1862. 
Field,  William  G.,  enlisted  April  21,   1861 ;  transferred 

to  cavalry  in  1861 ;  killed  at  Malvern  Hill,  July  1, 

1862. 
Floyd,  George  C,  enlisted  1863. 
Fontaine,  R.  Morris,  enlisted  April  21,  1861  ;  discharged 

by  the  Secretary  of  War,  July,  1861. 
Fox,  Henry,  C,  enlisted   1863;  wounded  at  Monocacy, 

Md.,  July  9,  1864;  killed  at  Fort  Steadman  March 

25,  1865. 
Gentry,   John   W.,    enlisted   April    21,    1861  ;   promoted 

corporal   1862;  transferred  to  Assistant  A.    Genl's 

department,  June,  1862. 
Gentry,  M.  G.,  enlisted  1863;  detailed  by  Gen.  Lee  and 

ordered  to  report  to  Gen.  Winder  at  Richmond,  in 

1864. 


3o8  ONE  OF  JACKSON'S  FOOT  CAVALRY 

Gibson,  William  T.,  enlisted  April  21,  1861  ;  discharged 
by  the  Secretary  of  War,  Dec.  1862. 

Gillian,  Robert  H.,  enlisted  April  21,  1861 ;  wounded 
at  Cedar  Run  Aug.  9,  1862;  promoted  second  lieu- 
tenant 25th  Va.  battalion  of  infantry,  Feb.  1864; 
acting  adjutant  of  the  battalion  when  captured  at 
Sailor's  Creek,  April  6,  1865. 

Gouldman,  E.,  enlisted  1863;  promoted  corporal  1863, 
and  sergeant  1864. 

Gray,  W.  Granville,  enlisted  April  21,  1861 ;  promoted 
second  lieutenant  Dec.  6,  1861 ;  elected  first  lieu- 
tenant April  19,  1862;  resigned  March  25,  1864. 

Gray,  Summerville,  enlisted  April  21,  1861 ;  transferred 
to  Howitzers  in  1861. 

Green,  John  W.,  enlisted  April  21,  1861  ;  transferred  to 
artillery  1861 ;  assigned  to  ordnance  department; 
entered  cavalry  service  in  1863;  killed  near  Liberty 
Mills   Sept.   22,    1863. 

Green,  T.  Richie,  enlisted  April  21,  1861  ;  transferred 
and  promoted  lieutenant  of  artillery,    1861. 

Griffin,  J.,  enlisted  1863;  captured  at  Spottsylvania  C. 
H.,  May  19,  1864. 

Harrison,  Thomas  R.,  enlisted  April  21,  1861 ;  trans- 
ferred to  Second  Richmond  Howitzers ;  promoted 
lieutenant  and  A.  D.  C.  on  Gen.  Garnett's  staff, 
1862;  wounded  and  captured  at  Gettysburg,  Pa., 
and  kept  in  prison  until  close  of  the  war. 

Harvie,  William  O.,  enlisted  April  21,  1861 ;  transferred 
to  quartermaster's  department  1861 ;  promoted 
Major  A.  Q.  M. 

Hawkins,  L.  A.,  enlisted  1863;  discharged  by  the  Secre- 
tary of  War,  April  9,  1864. 


ONE  OF  JACKSON'S  FOOT  CAVALRY     309 

Haynes,  George  A.,  enlisted  April  21,   1861 ;  promoted 

ordnance  sergeant  21st  Va.  Regt.  Oct.,  1862. 
Henry,   Dr.   Patrick,   enlisted  May   16,    1861  ;  promoted 

assistant  surgeon  in  the  army,  1861. 
Hobson,  Deane,  enlisted  April  21,   1861 ;  transferred  to 

artillery  1861. 
Houston,  G.  W.,  enlisted  1863;  wounded  at  Winchester 

Sept.   19,   1864. 
Hudgins,  Malcolm  L.,  enlisted  May  16,  1861 ;  promoted 

junior  second  lieutenant  1863;  and  first  lieutenant 

April,  1864;  wounded  and  captured  at  Cedar  Creek, 

Oct.   19,   1864,  and  kept  in  prison  until  March  30, 

1864,  when  he  was  exchanged. 
Hull,   Irving,   enlisted  May,    1861  ;  transferred   1861. 
Jenkins,  William  S.,  enlisted  April  21,   1861. 
Jones,    David    B.,    enlisted    April    21,    1861 ;    promoted 

quartermaster   sergeant   of  21st    Va.    Regt.,    1862, 

and  acting  O.  M.  of  the  regiment,  1864. 
Jones,  Philip  B.,  Jr.,  enlisted  April  21,  1861  ;  promoted 

captain  and  A.  Q.  M.,  Oct.  26,  1861. 
Johnston,  J.  W.,  enlisted  1863;  captured  at  Wilderness 

May  5,  1864;  kept  in  prison  until  close  of  war. 
Kayton,  P.  W.,  enlisted  1863;  captured  on  skirmish  line 

at    Spottsylvania    C.    H.    May    12,    1864;    kept    in 

prison  until  close  of  war. 
Kellogg.  Timothy  H.,  enlisted  April  21,  1861 ;  promoted 

second  lieutenant  company  H,  21st  Va.  Regt.  April 

22,  1862;  promoted  Major  and  A.  C.  S.  Nov.,  1862. 
Kidd,  J.  A.,  enlisted  1863 ;  wounded  at  Payne's  Farm, 

Nov.    27,    1863;   killed    at   Fort   Steadman   March 

25,  1865. 
Legg,  A.  C,  enlisted  1863;  wounded  at  the  Wilderness, 

May  5,   1864;  died  from  its  effects  June  26,   1864. 


310  ONE  OF  JACKSON'S  FOOT  CAVALRY 

Lindsay,  Roswell  S.,  enlisted  April  21,  1861  ;  promoted 
corporal  April,  1S62;  killed  at  Cedar  Run,  Aug. 
9,  1862. 

Lorentz,  A.,  enlisted  April  21,   1861  ;  transferred  1861. 

Macmurdo,  Richard  C,  enlisted  May  18,  1861 ;  pro- 
moted captain  and  A.  C.  S.  March  30,  1862. 

Maddox,  R.  G.,  enlisted  May,  1861 ;  transferred  1861. 

Mason,  J.  M.,  enlisted  1863,  captured  at  Cedar  Creek, 
Oct.  19,  1864;  kept  in  prison  until  close  of  war. 

Mayo,  Joseph  E.,  enlisted  May  10,  1861 ;  transferred 
to  signal  corps  1863. 

McEvoy,  Charles  A.,  enlisted  April  21,  1861 ;  resigned 
June  27,   1 861,  by  order  of  Gov.  Letcher. 

Meade,  Everard  B.,  enlisted  April  21.  1861 ;  promoted 
lieutenant  regiment  of  engineer  troops ;  and  A.  D. 
C.  to  Brig.-Gen.  James  H.  Lane. 

Mebane,  James  A.,  enlisted  April  21,  1861 ;  promoted 
hospital  steward  in  1861. 

Meredith,  J.  French,  enlisted  April  21,  1861 ;  transferred 
1861. 

Merryman,  J.  T.,  enlisted  1863;  captured  on  skirmish 
line  at  Spottsylvania  C.  H.,  May  12,  1864. 

Mitchell,  Samuel  D.,  enlisted  April  21,  1861  ;  promoted 
lieutenant  A.  D.  C.  to  Gen.  C.  S.  Winder  May  9, 
1862;  killed  at  Gaines  Mill,  June  27,  1862. 

Mittledorfer,  Charles,  enlisted  April  21,  1861 ;  trans- 
ferred 1 86 1. 

Morris,  Walter  H.  P.,  enlisted  April  21,  1861 ;  trans- 
ferred to  Marye  battery  1861  ;  promoted  lieutenant 
and  A.  D.  C. 

Mountcastle,  John  R.,  enlisted  April  21,  1861  ;  promoted 
lieutenant  of  cavalry  June,  1862. 

Munt,  Henry  F.,  enlisted  1863;  promoted  corporal  1863; 


ONE  OF  JACKSON'S  FOOT  CAVALRY     311 

captured  at  Wilderness,  May  5,  1864,  and  kept  in 
prison  until  close  of  war. 

Nance,  J.  L.,  enlisted  1863;  discharged  by  the  Secretary 
of  War  in  1864. 

Norwood,  William,  Jr.,  enlisted  April  21,  1861 ;  pro- 
moted lieutenant  and  A.  D.  C,  Sept.  11,  1861, 
and  captain  and  A.  A.  Gen.  1862.  Wounded  at  Ce- 
dar Run,  Aug.  9,  1862. 

Nunnally,  Joseph  L.,  enlisted  April  21,  1861;  wounded 
at  Kernstown,  March  23,  1862;  killed  at  Cedar 
Run,  Aug.  9,  1862. 

Pace,  George  R.,  enlisted  April  21,  1861 ;  promoted  cor- 
poral June,  1 86 1,  discharged  by  the  Secretary  of 
War,  June,    1862. 

Pace,  Theodore  A.,  enlisted  May  6,  1861 ;  discharged 
by  the  Secretary  of  War,  June,  1862. 

Page,  Mann,  enlisted  April  21,  1861  ;  promoted  sergeant 
major  of  21st  Va.  Regt.  in  1861  ;  first  lieutenant  and 
adjutant  1862;  captain  and  A.  A.  Gen.  in  1862; 
Major  on  Gen.  Early's  staff,   1864. 

Pardigon,  C.  F.,  enlisted  April  21,  1861  ;  promoted 
lieutenant  in  Provisional  Army  C.  S.,  and  Captain 
on  Gen.  Kershaw's  staff. 

Payne,  James  B.,  enlisted  April  21,  1861  ;  promoted 
junior  second  lieutenant  Dec.  28,  1861  ;  wounded 
at  Bath,  Jan.  3,  1862. 

Peaster,  Henry,  enlisted  April  21,  1861  ;  wounded  at 
Payne's  Farm  Nov.  27,  1863;  transferred  to  Mary- 
land line,  1864. 

Peagram,  William  R.  J.,  enlisted  April  21,  1861  ;  pro- 
moted lieutenant  Purcell  battery  May,  1861  ;  pro- 
moted captain,  lieutenant,  colonel  and  colonel  of 
artillery;  killed  at  Five  Forks,  April   1,   1865. 


3i2  ONE  OF  JACKSON'S  FOOT  CAVALRY 

Peterkin,  George  W.,  enlisted  April  21,  1861  ;  promoted 
sergeant  1861  ;  and  elected  junior  lieutenant  April 
19,  1862;  promoted  first  lieutenant  and  A.  D.  C. 
on  Gen.  W.  N.  Pendleton's  staff,  June,  1862. 

Picot,  Henry  V.,  enlisted  April  21,  1861  ;  wounded  at 
Kernstown,  March  23,  1862;  and  died  from  its 
effects. 

Piet,  William  A.,  enlisted  April  21,  1861  ;  transferred 
to  Third  company  Flowitzers,  June,  1862. 

Pilcher,  Samuel  F.,  enlisted  April  21,  1861 ;  when  F 
Company  went  to  Fredericksburg  he  was  made  a 
sergeant,  and  left  in  Richmond  to  recruit  a  second 
company.  Ill  health  soon  compelled  him  to  discon- 
tinue, his  health  gradually  declined  and  he  died  in 
1863. 

Pollard,  William  G.,  enlisted  April  21,  1861 ;  promoted 
sergeant  April  19,  1862;  killed  at  Cedar  Run,  Aug, 
9,  1862. 

Powell,  John  G.,  enlisted  May  10,  1861 ;  killed  at  Cedar 
Run,  Aug.  9,  1862. 

Powell,  John  W.,  enlisted  April  21,  1861  ;  transferred 
1861. 

Price,  Channing  R.,  enlisted  May,  1861  ;  promoted  lieu- 
tenant, captain  and  major  on  Gen.  J.  E.  B.  Stuart's 
staff;  killed  at  Chancellorsville,  May,  1863. 

Randolph,  J.  Tucker,  enlisted  April  21,  1861 ;  promoted 
corporal  June  5,  i86t  ;  sergeant  1861  ;  wounded  at 
Kernstown,  March  23,  1862;  promoted  lieutenant 
on  Gen.  John  Pegram's  staff,  June,  1862;  killed  at 
Bethesda  Church,  May  30,  1864. 

Randolph,  M.  Lewis,  enlisted  April  21,  1861 ;  promoted 
corporal  May,  1861;  lieutenant  in  First  Va.  battal- 


ONE  OF  JACKSON'S  FOOT  CAVALRY     313 

ion  of  infantry  1861 ;  and  captain  in  signal  corps, 
1862. 

Redd,  Clarence  M.,  enlisted  April  21,  1861 ;  wounded  at 
Cedar  Rim,  Aug-.  9,  1862;  transferred  to  Hanover 
artillery  in  1862. 

Reeve,  David  I.  B.,  enlisted  April  21,  1861  ;  promoted 
first  lieutenant  and  adjutant  of  cavalry  in  1862. 

Reeve,  John  J.,  enlisted  May  10,  1861  ;  promoted  captain 
and  A.  A.  General  on  Gen.  Loring's  staff  April  7, 
1862;  major  and  A.  A.  G.  on  Gen.  Stevenson's 
staff,  1862. 

Rennie,  G.  Hutcheson,  enlisted  May  18,  1861  ;  killed  at 
Fort  Steadman,  March  25,  1865. 

Richeson,  P.  S.,  enlisted  1863;  wounded  at  Spottsyl- 
vania  C.  H.  May  12,  1864. 

Richeson,  William  R.,  enlisted  1863;  and  served  with 
his  company  to  Appomattox.  Complimented  on 
the  battlefield  at  Hatcher's  Run,  Feb.  5-7,  1865, 
by  General  Gordon. 

Rison,  John  W.,  enlisted  April  21,  1S61  ;  transferred  to 
Laboratory  department  1861. 

Robertson,  William  S.,  enlisted  May  18,  1861  ;  pro- 
moted sergeant  1864;  captured  at  Waynesboro, 
Mar.  2,  1865,  sent  to  Fort  Delaware,  and  kept  there 
until  close  of  the  war. 

Robinson,  Christopher  A.,  enlisted  April  21,  1861  ;  de- 
tailed in  engineer  corps,  1862. 

Robinson,  Richard  F.,  enlisted  April  21,  1861  ;  dis- 
charged by  the  Secretary  of  War,  April,  1862. 

Rutledge,  W.,  enlisted  1863;  served  with  his  company  to 
Appomattox. 

Searles,  S.,  enlisted  1863;  sent  to  hospital  Aug.  16,  1864. 

Seay,  M.,  enlisted  1863;  sent  to  hospital  May  2,  1864. 


3H  ONE  OF  JACKSON'S  FOOT  CAVALRY 

Seay,  W.  C,  enlisted  1863;  wounded  at  Spottsylvania 
C.  H.,  May  12,  1864,  and  died  from  its  effects 
May  14,  1864. 

Singleton,  A.  Jackson,  enlisted  April  21,  1861;  dis- 
charged by  the  Secretary  of  War  Feb.,  1862. 

Simpson,  F.  J.,  enlisted  1863;  captured  at  Spottsylvania 
C.  H.,  May  19,  1864. 

Sizer,  Milton  D.,  enlisted  April  21,  1861  ;  discharged 
by  the  Secretary  of  War  Feb.,  1862. 

Skinker,  Charles  R.,  enlisted  April  21,  1861 ;  wounded 
at  Kernstown  March  23,  1862;  transferred  to  sec- 
ond company  of  Howitzers  in  1862;  wounded  at 
Fredericksburg,  1862;  promoted  first  lieutenant 
Company  K,  48th  Va.  Regt.  of  infantry  1863;  cap- 
tain 1863;  wounded  at  Chancellors ville,  May  2, 
1863;  captured  at  Spottsylvania  C.  H.  May  12, 
1864;  sent  to  Fort  Delaware  and  rejoined  his  com- 
mand in  about  seven  months ;  wounded  at  Hatcher's 
Run  Feb.  12,  1865  and  permanently  disabled. 

Smith,  Edward  H.,  enlisted  April  21,  1861 ;  transferred 
to  Howitzers  in  1861. 

Smith,  Henry,  enlisted  1863;  wounded  at  Wilderness 
May  5,  1864. 

Smith,  J.  T.,  enlisted  1863;  served  with  his  company  to 
Appomattox. 

Smith,  Thomas,  enlisted  1863  ;  captured  at  the  Wilderness 
May  5,   1864;  kept  in  prison  until  close  of  war. 

Soles,  Peter  D.,  enlisted  1863. 

Sublett,  Peter  A.,  enlisted  April  21,  1861 ;  transferred 
to  Third  company  of  Richmond  Howitzers  Aug., 
1862. 

Tabb,  Robert  M.,  enlisted  April  21,  1861 ;  promoted  ser- 


ONE  OF  JACKSON'S  FOOT  CAVALRY     315 

geant  1863;  sergeant-major  21st  Va.  Regt.  Sept., 
1864;  killed  at  Cedar  Creek,  Oct.  19,  1864. 

Talle)',  Daniel  D.,  enlisted  April  21,  1861 ;  promoted 
paymaster  C.  S.  Navy,  1862. 

Tatum,  A.  Randolph,  enlisted  April  21,  1861  ;  detailed 
and  assigned  to  duty  with  Gen.  J.  H.  Winder,  Feb., 
1862. 

Tatum,  Vivion  H.,  enlisted  April  21,  1861 ;  detailed  in 
commissary  department  in  Richmond  1862. 

Taylor,  Chailes  E.,  enlisted  April  21,  1861  ;  wounded 
at  Kernstown,  March  23,  1862;  transferred  to  sig- 
nal corps,  1862. 

Taylor,  Clarence  E.,  enlisted  April  21,  1861  ;  wounded 
at  Cedar  Run  Aug.  9,  1862;  detailed  to  Quarter- 
master's department  in  Richmond,   1862. 

Taylor,  Edward  B.,  enlisted  April  21,  1861  ;  wounded 
at  Kernstown,  Mar.  23,  1862;  transferred  to  ord- 
nance department  1862;  promoted  quartermaster- 
sergeant  with  Maj.  Turner,  1864. 

Taylor,  Robert  T.,  enlisted  April  21,  1861  ;  promoted 
Major  and  A.  Q.  M.,  April  15,  1862. 

Tiney,  W.  C,  enlisted  1863;  promoted  corporal  May, 
1863;  killed  at  Williamsport,  Md.,  July  6,  1863. 

Tompkins,  Edward  G.,  enlisted  April  21,  1861  ;  wounded 
at  Cedar  Run,  Aug.  9,  1862;  permanently  disabled. 

Trainum,  Charles,  enlisted  1863;  discharged  by  the 
Secretary  of  War,  April  11,   1864. 

Tyler,  James  E.,  enlisted  April  21,  1861 ;  promoted  ser- 
geant Letcher  battery  March,  1862;  wounded  at 
Harper's  Ferry  1862;  wounded  at  Chancellorsville, 
May  3,  1863;  promoted  second  lieutenant,  July, 
1864;  and  commanded  battery  at  close  of  war. 

Tyler,   R.    Emmet,    enlisted   April   21,    1861 ;   promoted 


316  ONE  OF  JACKSON'S  FOOT  CAVALRY 

corporal  April,  1862;  transferred  to  ordnance  de- 
partment, 1862. 

Tyree,  W.  C,  enlisted  1863;  promoted  corporal  1864; 
wounded  at  Cedar  Creek,  Oct.  19,  1864. 

Van  Buren,  Benjamin  B.,  enlisted  April  21,  1S61  ;  dis- 
charged by  the  Secretary  of  War,  1862. 

Waldrop,  Richard  W.,  enlisted  April  21,  1861  ;  promoted 
commissary  sergeant  21st  Va.  Regt,  1863. 

Walker,  T.,  enlisted  1863;  promoted  sergeant  May, 
1863;  killecl  at   Williamsport,   Md.,  July  6,    1863. 

Wallace,  R.  H.,  enlisted  1863;  transferred  to  24th  Va. 
battalion  of  Infantry,  1863. 

Watkins,  A.  Salle,  enlisted  April  21,  1861 ;  promoted 
second  lieutenant  company  C,  3d  battalion  Va.  In- 
fantry May  17,  1864;  first  lieutenant,  and  captain, 
March,    1865. 

Watkins,  H.  Harrison,  enlisted  April  21,  1861 ;  promoted 
sergeant-major  21st  Va.  Regt.  1862;  wounded  at 
Cedar  Run,  Aug.  9,  1862;  and  permanently  dis- 
abled. 

White,  Robert  C,  enlisted  April  21,  1861  ;  transferred 
to  Crenshaw  battery,  Aug.   13,   1862. 

Wilkins,  J.  M.,  enlisted  1863. 

Willis,  Joseph  N.,  enlisted  April  21,  1861 ;  promoted 
hospital  steward,  Nov.,  1863. 

Wood,  S.  E.,  enlisted  1863. 

WTorsham,  John  H.,  enlisted  April  21,  1861  ;  promoted 
second  sergeant  April,  1863;  first  sergeant  Dec. 
1863;  adjutant  of  21st  Va.  Regt.,  Sept.  12,  1864; 
wounded  at  Winchester  Sept.  19,  1864;  perma- 
nently  disabled. 

Worsham,  Thomas  R.,  enlisted  April  21,  1861 ;  promoted 


ONE  OF  JACKSON'S  FOOT  CAVALRY     317 

sergeant  Letcher  battery,  second  lieutenant  in  1862; 
wounded  at  Spottsylvania  C.  H.  May,  1864. 

Wren,  J.  Porter,  enlisted  April  21,  1861 ;  promoted  third 
sergeant  April,  1863;  second  sergeant  Dec,  1863; 
wounded  at  Cedar  Run,  Aug.  9,  1 862 ;  at  Payne's 
Farm  Nov.  27,  1863;  killed  at  Monocacy,  Md., 
July  9,  1864. 

Wright,  Philip  A.,  enlisted  April  21,  1861 ;  transferred 
1861. 

Zimmer,  Louis,  enlisted  April  21,  1861  ;  promoted  cap- 
tain in  ordnance  department,   1861. 

Dr.  Frank  B.  Cunningham,  enlisted  April  21,  1861 ;  as 
surgeon  of  the  company;  promoted  assistant-sur- 
geon in  the  army  in  1861,  and  surgeon  of  Division 
1862. 

Dr.   Peter  Lyons,  enlisted  April  21,   1861  ;  as  assistant 
surgeon   of   the  company;  promoted  assistant  sur- 
geon in  the  army  in   1861,  and  surgeon,   1862. 
This  makes   a  total  of  one   hundred  and  ninety-two 

who  belonged  to  the  company  during  the  war ;  below  is 

a   list    of   changes   that   took   place  —  casualties,    trans- 
fers, promotions,  etc. : 

Died,   3;   killed,   31;   wounded,   49;   captured  by  the 

enemy,  19;  transferred,  38;  promoted  to  other  commands, 

57;  discharged,  16;  resigned,  2. 

Promoted  to  Navy 5 

Promoted  Hospital  Stewards 4 

Promoted  Assistant   Surgeons 4 

Promoted     Surgeons 2 

Promoted    Corporals 14 

Promoted    Sergeants 25 

Promoted  Jr.  second  lieutenants 7 


318  ONE  OF  JACKSON'S  FOOT  CAVALRY 

Promoted  Second  lieutenants 16 

Promoted    First   lieutenants 28 

Promoted    Captains 24 

Promoted    Majors .  10 

Promoted  Lieutenant  Colonels 4 

Promoted      Colonels 3 

I  also  give  a  list  of  casualties,  promotions,  etc.,  that 
took  place  in  F  Company  while  the  men  were  serving 
with  that  company ;  these  are  included  in  list  above : 

Killed,  20 ;  wounded,  27 ;  captured  by  the  enemy,  1 1 ; 
died,  3;  discharged,   16;  resigned,  2. 

Promoted   Corporals 12 

Promoted    Sergeants 15 

Promoted  Jr.  Second  Lieutenant 5 

Promoted    Second   Lieutenant 4 

Promoted   First   Lieutenant 4 

Promoted      Captains 4 

F.  Company  participated  in  the  following  battles : 

1861,  Acquia  Creek,  May  29,  June  7-8;  Crouch's,  Aug. 

15- 

1862,  Bath,  Jan.  4;  Sir  John's  Run,  Jan.  6;  Flancock, 

Jan.  7;  Romney,  Jan.  17;  Kernstown,  Mch.  23; 
McDowell,  May  8 ;  Franklin,  May  1 1  ;  Front 
Royal,  May  23;  Midletown,  May  24;  Winches- 
ter, May  25 ;  Cross  Keys,  June  7;  Port  Republic, 
June  9;  Cold  Harbor,  June  28;  White  Oak 
Swamp,  June  30 ;  Malvern  Hill,  July  1  ;  Cedar 
Run,  Aug.  9;  Second  Manassas,  Aug.  28,  29, 
30 ;   Chantilly,   Sept.    2 ;   Harper's   Ferry,    Sept. 


ONE  OF  JACKSON'S  FOOT  CAVALRY     319 

13,  14,  15;  Sharspburg,  16,  17;  Fredericksburg, 
Dec.  13. 

1863,  Williamsport,    Md.,    July    6;    Hagerstown,    Md., 

July  8 ;  Payne's  Farm,  Nov.  27 ;  Mine  Run, 
Dec.  1,  2,  3. 

1864,  Wilderness,  May  5-8;  Spottsylvania  C.   H.,  May 

9  to  20 ;  Hanover  Junction,  May  22 ;  Bethesda 
Church,  May  30;  Cold  Harbor,  2  to  7 ;  Lynch- 
burg, June  18;  Monocacy,  Md.,  July  9;  Wash- 
ington, D.  C,  July  11,  12;  Kernstown,  July 
24;  Newtown,  Aug.  11;  Winchester,  Aug.  17, 
and  Sept.  19;  Fisher's  Hill,  Sept.  22;  Cedar 
Creek,  Oct.  19. 

1865,  Hatcher's   Run,   Feb.    5-7;  Fort  Steadman,   Mch. 

25 ;  near  Petersburg,  Apr.  2 ;  Appomattox  C. 
H.,  Apr.  9. 

Our  Regiment,  the  21st  Va.,  was  in  the  battles  of 
Chancellorsville,  May  2-3,  1863;  Winchester,  June, 
1863,  and  Gettysburg,  July  2,  3,  4,  while  F  Company 
was  absent  recruiting.  And  F  Company  fought  the 
battle  of  W'illiamsport,  July  6,  1863,  while  the  regiment 
was  on  its  way  from  Gettysburg. 

The  following  members  of  F  Company  surrendered 
at  Appomattox  C.  H.,  Apr.  9,  1865  : 

Corporal  H.  C.  Tyree, 

William  R.  Richeson, 

William  Rutledge, 

Joseph  T.  Smith. 

The  following  old  members  of  F  Company  belonging 
to  other  commands  surrendered  at  Appomattox  C.  H. : 

Ira  W.  Blunt,  Hospital  Steward,  21st  Va.  Regt. 

George  A.  Haynes,  Ordnance  Sergeant,  21st  Va. 
Regt. 


32o  ONE  OF  JACKSON'S  FOOT  CAVALRY 

Richard  W.  Waldrop,  Commissary  Sergeant,  21st  Va. 
Regt. 

John  A.  Craig,  Hospital  Steward,  2d  Corps. 

Henry  C.  Bullington,  Clerk,  3d  Corps. 

William  O.  Harvie,  Major,  A.  O.  M.,  Army  N.  Va. 

Philip  B.  Jones,  Captain,  A.  O.  M. 

Walter  H.  P.  Morris,  Lieutenant  and  A.  D.  C. 

William  A.  Piet,  Second  Co.  Howitzers. 

Peter  A.  Sublett,  Second  Co.  Howitzers. 

George  W.   Peterkin,   First  Lieutenant  and  A.   D.   C. 

D.  LB.  Reeve. 

E.  B.  Taylor,  Sergeant  Quarter-Master's  Department. 
Robert  T.  Taylor,  Major  A.  O.  M. 

Robert  C.  White. 

Louis  Zimmer,  Captain  Ordnance  Department. 

Peter  Lyons,  Surgeon. 

H.  D.  Danforth,  Captain  and  A.  D.  C. 

The  following  were  at  Appomattox  C.  H.,  but  made 
their  escape  and  were  not  included  in  the  surrender: 

Thomas  Ellett,  Captain  Artillery. 

James  E.  Tyler,  First  Lieutenant  Artillery. 

William  C.  Barker,  Second  Lieutenant  Artillery. 

They  destroyed  their  guns,  etc.,  before  leaving. 

J.  Hamden  Chamberlayne,  Major  of  Artillery,  made 
his  escape  and  joined  Gen.  J.  E.  Johnston's  Army. 

C.  C.  Baughman,  Artillery,  and  Greer  H.  Baughman, 
Sergeant  Artillery,  made  their  escape  and  went  to  Gen. 
J.  E.  Johnston's  army,  and  thence  to  Gen.  Kirby 
Smith's  army. 

Lt.-Col.  Archer  Anderson,  Adjutant-General  of  Gen. 
J.  E.  Johnston's  army,  surrendered  with  that  army. 

Major  John  J.  Reeve,  Adjutant-General,  also  served 
with  that  armv. 


ONE  OF  JACKSON'S  FOOT  CAVALRY     321 

Marches  of  F  Company  from  the  commencement  to 
the  close  of  the  war: 

1861.  MILES 

Apr.   21.     Marched  to  Wilton.     Henrico  Co.    12 
Apr.  22.     Returned  to  Richmond  on  barges  by 

James  River. 
Apr.  24     Took  the  cars  to  Fredericksburg. 
May.     Left  Fredericksburg  on  the  cars  to  Game 

Point.     Stafford  Co. 
June  14.     Took  cars  for  Richmond. 
July    18.     Marched    to    Central    R.    R.    depot 

and  took  cars  for  Staunton 4 

July     20.     Marched     to     Buffalo     Gap.     Au- 

Co 10 

To   Ryans    11 

To  McDowell.     Highland  Co.    ....    18 

To  Monterey    13 

To  Forks  of  Road 15 

To  Napp's  Creek.     Pocahontas  Co.    13 

To  Huntersville     8 

To  Edray     11 

To  Big  Spring    17 

To  Valley   Mountain    4 

To  Marshall's     Store.        Randolph 

4 

To  Conrad's  Store   5 

The  2 1  st  Va.  Regt.  went  on  picket 

to  the  front 4 

Sept.   12.     To  Crouch's     2 

Sept.   15.     Back  to  Conrad's  Mill 6 

Sept.   16.     To  Marshall's  Store 5 

Sept.   17.     To  Valley    Mountain.     Pocahontas 

Co 4 


July 

a  La 
21. 

July 

22. 

July 

23- 

July 

24. 

July 

25- 

July 

26. 

Aug. 

3- 

Aug. 

5- 

Aug. 

6. 

Sept. 

9- 

Co 

Sept. 

10. 

Sept. 

11. 

322  ONE  OF  JACKSON'S  FOOT  CAVALRY 

MILES 

Sept.  24.     To  Middle  Mountain    2 

Sept.  25.     To  foot  Middle  Mountain 2 

Sept.  28.     To  Hogshead's    5 

Sept.  30.     To  Elk  Mountain   5 

Oct.      1.     To     top  of  Elk  Mountain 3 

Oct.     9.     To  Edray    5 

Oct.    14.     To  Greenbrier  Bridge    4 

Nov.    11.     To  Flarrold's    farm    11 

Nov.   13.     To  Warm  Springs.     Bath  Co.    ...  22 

Nov.   14.     To  Bath  Alum  Springs 5 

Nov.  30.     To  Milboro 10 

Dec.     4.     Took  cars  at  Milboro  and  went  to 

Staunton.     Augusta  Co. 
Dec.    18.     Marched  from  Staunton  to  Mt.  Sid- 
ney   13 

Dec.    19.     To  Harrisonburg.    Rockingham  Co.  16 

Dec.   20.     To  Cowan's   farm    13 

Dec.  21.     To  Mt.  Jackson.     Shenandoah  Co.  12 

Dec.  22.     To  Strasburg    24 

Dec.  25.     To  Newtown.     Frederick  Co 11 

Dec.   26.     To  through  Winchester  and  camped 

on  Romney  Road   16 

1862. 

Jan.     1.     To  Pughtown    12 

Jan.     2.     To  Ungers  X  Roads.     Morgan  Co.  13 

Jan.     3.     To  near  Bath    12 

Jan.     4.     To  Sir  John's  Run    5 

Jan.     5.     Marched  towards  Hancock  and  Ca- 
pon Bridge 11 

Jan.     8.     Back  to  Ungers  X  Roads 18 

Jan.     9.     To  camp  on  side  road 4 

Jan.  13.     Marched  about  200  yards;  the  head 


ONE  OF  JACKSON'S  FOOT  CAVALRY     323 

MILES 

of    the    column    marched    about    4    miles. 
Jan.    14.     To  Bloomery  Furnace.     Hampshire 

Co 8 

Jan.   15.     To  Capon    Bridge    5 

Jan.  16.     To  Camp  Meeting  grounds 7 

Jan.    17.     To  near  Romney    12 

Jan.   24.     To  Romney     3 

Feb.     3.     To  Deep  Creek    10 

Feb.     4.     To  Hanging  Rock   8 

Feb.     5.     To   Back   Creek  Valley.     Frederick 

Co 12 

Feb.     6.     To  near  Winchester 9 

Feb.   27.     To  Berryville  Road   5 

Mch.     7.     To  Strasburg   Road    5 

Mch.    11.     To  Springdale   4 

Mch.    12.     To  Cedar  Creek    11 

Mch.   15.     To  Woodstock.     Shenandoah  Co.  15 

Mch.   19.     To  Mt.   Jackson    11 

Mch.  20.     To  Rude's  Hill   5 

Mch.  22.     To  Fisher's   Hill     27 

Mch.   23.     To  Kernstown,    where    we    fought 
the  battle  and  back  to  Newtown.     Frederick 

Co 26 

Mch.  24.     To  Woodstock.     Shenandoah  Co.  23 

Mch.  25.     To  Mt.  Jackson    13 

Mch.  26.     Back  to  Woodstock 11 

Mch.  28.     Back  to  Mt.  Jackson 11 

Apr.     3.     To  Edenburg  and  back  to  Mt.  Jack- 
son      18 

Apr.     5.     To  Camp  on  Valley  Pike 2 

Apr.     7.     To  below  Mt.  Jackson    7 

Apr.   10.     Back  to  old  camp 7 


Apr. 

*3- 

Apr. 

17- 

Apr. 

18. 

Apr. 

19. 

Apr. 

23- 

Apr. 

30- 

324  ONE  OF  JACKSON'S  FOOT  CAVALRY 

MILES 

To  Luray  Road   4 

To  Lacy's  Spring.     Rockingham  Co.  10 

To  Gordonsville   Road    13 

To  near  Swift  Run  Gap 12 

To  Swift  Run  Gap 3 

Marched     across     the     Shenandoah 
River    and    recrossed,    then   marched    up    the 

road  towards  Port  Republic 12 

May     1.     To  Clear  Creek    6 

May     2.     To  Port   Republic    8 

May     3.     To  White     Hall,     Albemarle     Co., 

crossing  the  Blue  Ridge  at  Brown's  Gap  ...  17 
May     4.     To  Meechums    Depot ;    there    took 
cars  for  Staunton,  Augusta  Co.,  and  marched 

through  and  beyond  the  town 14 

May     6.     To  Buffalo  Gap   10 

May     7.     To     and     across     the     Shenandoah 

Mountain     12 

May     8.     To  McDowell,  Highland  Co.,  where 

we  fought  the  battle 11 

May     9.     To  Shenandoah    Mt.    and    back    to 

McDowell    13 

May   10.     To  Hilly  Camp.     Pendleton  Co.    .  .  15 

May   1 1.     To  near   Franklin    10 

May   12.     Back  to  camp  on  McDowell  road  .  .  5 

May   13.     To  Pine  Hill.     Highland  Co 12 

May  14.     To  McDowell     8 

May  15.     To  Lebanon  Springs.     Augusta  Co.  15 

May   17.     To  Mossy  Creek.     Rockingham  Co.  12 

May  19.     To  Dayton    12 

May  20.     To  near     New     Market.     Shenan- 
doah Co 15 


ONE  OF  JACKSON'S  FOOT  CAVALRY     325 

MILES 

May  21.     To  camp    on    roadside,    Page    Co., 

crossing  Massanutta  Mt 13 

May  22.     To  Lnray    14 

May  2^.     To  Front   Royal,   Page  Co.,  where 

we  had  a  battle 27 

May  24-5.     To    Middletown,    Frederick    Co., 
where  we  had  a  battle,  marching  all  night  to 
near  Winchester,  where  we  had  another  bat- 
tle, and  pursuing  the  enemy  beyond  that  town  26 
May  28.     My    regiment    marched    into    Win- 
chester and  took  charge  of  the  prisoners  ...      4 
May  31.     To  Cedar  Creek,  with  prisoners  ...    13 
June     1.     To  Woodstock.     Shenandoah  Co.       14 

June     2.     To  Mt.  Jackson   14 

June     3.     To  New  Market    9 

June     4.     To  Harrisonburg.    Rockingham  Co.   14 

June     5.     To  New  Hope.     Augusta  Co 17 

June     6.     To  Waynesboro   12 

June     8.     To  and   across   the   Blue    Ridge   at 

Rockfish  Gap.     Albemarle  Co 6 

June     9.     To  North  Garden  Depot,  O.  &  A. 

R.  R 12 

June   11.     We  took  the  cars  here  and  carried 
our   prisoners    to   Lynchburg   Fair    Ground. 

Campbell  Co 2 

June   18.     Left  Lynchburg  and  rode  on  cars  to 

near  Charlottesville.     Albemarle  Co 2 

June  21.     Marched      to      Charlottesville      and 
joined  our  brigade  as  they  marched  through 

on  their  way  to  Richmond   9 

June  22.     To  Gordonsville.     Orange  Co.    ...    13 
June  2^.     To  Louisa  C.  H.     Louisa  Co 13 


326  ONE  OF  JACKSON'S  FOOT  CAVALRY 

MILES 

June  24.  Left  Louisa  C.  H.  and  rode  on  cars 
to  Bumpass  Depot,  and  marched  to  camp  .  .    20 

June  25.     To  Ashland.     Hanover  Co 11 

June  26.     To  near  Pole  Green  Church   15 

June  27.     To  near    Cold    Harbor,    where    we 

had  the  battle   11 

June  28.     Marched  to  Bridge  and  back 3 

June  30.  Crossed  the  Chickahominy  River 
and  marched  to  White  Oak  Swamp,  where 

we  fought  the  enemy.     Henrico  Co 11 

July      1.     To  Malvern  Hill,  where  we  had  the 

battle    6 

July     2.     To     Willis     Church.     Charles     City 

Co 2 

July     4.     To  Forks  of  Road 2 

July     5.     To  Westover    7 

J aly     8.     To  Creek     2 

July     9.     To  White    Oak     Swamp.     Flenrico 

Co 10 

July   10.     To  Seven  Pines   8 

July   11.     To  Morris  Farm  on  Mechanicsville 

Turnpike    10 

July  16.  Marched  to  Richmond,  there  took 
cars  on  R.  F.  &  P.  R.  R.  and  went  to  Louisa 
C.  H.,  which  we  reached  on  the  18th,  having 
been  detained  by  damage  to  the  bridge  across 

South  Anna  River  by  high  water 10 

July  20.     To  Gordonsville.     Orange  Co.     ...    13 
July  22.     To  Liberty  Mills.     Madison  Co.   .  .      8 
July  26.     Marched  on  road  to  meet  the  enemy, 
who   were    reported   advancing;   not   finding 
them,   returned    10 


ONE  OF  JACKSON'S  FOOT  CAVALRY  327 

MILES 

July  29.     To  Mechanicsville.     Louisa  Co.   ...  11 
Aug.     4.     Back    to    Liberty    Mills.     Madison 

Co 11 

Aug.     7.     To  Orange  C.  H.     Orange  Co.   ...  13 

Aug.     8.     To  camp  in  Culpeper  Co 7 

Aug.     9.     To  Cedar  Run,  where  we  had  the 

battle    12 

Aug.    10.     To  camp  near  battlefield    3 

Aug.    13.     To  camp  across  the  Rapidan  river 

in   Orange  Co 16 

Aug.   14.     To  Terrell's  Farm    16 

Aug.    16.     To  camp  near  Clark's  Mountain  .  .  21 

Aug.  20.     To  Stevensburg.     Culpeper  Co.  ...  12 

Aug.  21.     To  camp  on  road  side 7 

Aug.  21.     To  Hazel   River    11 

Aug.   23.     To  near    Fauquier    Springs.     Fau- 
quier Co 13 

Aug.  24.     To  Jeffersonton     1 

Aug.   25.     To  Salem     26 

Aug.   26.     To  Gainsville.     Prince  William  Co.  26 

Aug.  27.     To     Manassas  Junction    5 

Aug.  28.     To'  Groveton,  where  we  fought  the 

Second  battle  of  Manassas   10 

Sept.      1.     To  Bull  Run   3 

Sept.     2.     To  Chantilly,    Fairfax    Co.,    where 

we  had  the  battle   12 

Sept.     3.     To  camp  on  road  side   2 

Sept.     4.     To  camp  on  road  side.       Loudoun 

Co 12 

Sept.     5.     To  Leesburg    11 

Sept.     6.     To  Three      Springs,      Montgomery 

Co.,    Md.,   crossing  the    Potomac   at   White 


328  ONE  OF  JACKSON'S  FOOT  CAVALRY 

MILES 

Ford     15 

Sept.     7.     To  Frederick  City.     Frederick  Co., 
Md 13 

Sept.    10.     To     Boonsboro.     Washington  Co., 
Md 14 

Sept.   11.     To  North  Mountain  Depot,  Berke- 
ley Co.,  Va.,  crossing  the  Potomac  at  Wil- 

liamsport    22 

Sept.    12.     To  Martinsburg 14 

Sept.    13.     To  Harper's   Ferry,  Jefferson  Co., 

where  we  captured  garrison,  arms,  etc 18 

Sept.   16.     To  Sharpsburg,    Washington    Co., 
Md.,  where  we  fought  the  battle,  crossing  the 

Potomac  at  Boteler's  Ford , 12 

Sept.    19.     To     camp    in    Jefferson    Co.,    Va., 

crossing  Potomac  at  Boteler's  Ford 8 

Sept.  20.     To  Martinsburg.     Berkeley  Co.    .  .    20 

Sept.  21.     To  Bunker   Hill    12 

Oct.    18.     To  Martinsburg,   from  there  to  the 

B.  &  O.  R.  R.,  tearing  that  up  as  we  went  .  .    16 
Oct.  21.     To  Opequan  Creek,  on  road  leading 

to  Harper's  Ferry 4 

Oct.  23.     To  Bunker  Hill    10 

Oct.  28.     To  Summit   Point    16 

Nov.     1.     To  Opequan    Creek,     near    Berry- 

ville.     Clark  Co 10 

Nov.     5.     To     near  White  Post 10 

Nov.    10.     Through    Winchester    to     Romney 

Road.     Frederick  Co 13 

Nov.  21.     To  Middletown    12 

Nov.  22.     To  Woodstock.     Shenandoah  Co.      18 
Nov.  23.     To  Mt.   Jackson    13 


ONE  OF  JACKSON'S  FOOT  CAVALRY    329 

MILES 

Nov.  24.  To  camp  in  Luray  Valley,  Page 
Co.,  crossing  Massanutta  Mt.  at  New  Mar- 
ket     23 

Nov.  25.     To  camp  in  Madison  Co.,  crossing 

the  Blue  Ridge  at  Fisher's  Gap 23 

Nov.  26.     To  Madison  C.  H 14 

Nov.  28.     To  Orange  C.  H.     Orange  Co.    .  .    14 
Nov.   29.     To  Union  Church.       Spottsylvania 

Co 12 

Nov.  30.     To  Wilderness     14 

Dec.     1.     To  Dorgett's     15 

Dec.     2.     To  near  Guinea's  Station.     Caroline 

Co 13 

Dec.   11.     To  Hamilton's  Crossing,  where  we 

had  the  battle  of  Fredericksburg 7 

Dec.   17.     To  Moss  Neck,  where  we  went  into 

winter  quarters   12 

To  picket     on     the     Rappahannock 

river,  twice  and  back  again 28 

1S63. 

Jan. — F  Company  were  ordered  from  this 
camp  to  Richmond  to  recruit.  Marched  to 
Guinea's,  R.  F.  &  P.  R.  R. ;  there  took  cars 

for    Richmond    10 

June  22.  We  marched  from  Camp  Lee  to  Cen- 
tral   R.    R.    and    took    cars    for    Staunton ; 

marched     4 

June  24.     To  Switcher's.     Augusta  Co 14 

June  25.     To  Harrisonburg.    Rockingham  Co.   11 

June  26.     To  Williams     15 

June  27.     To  Edenburg.     Shenandoah  Co.   .  .    17 
June  28.     To  Strasburg   18 


DO 


30  ONE  OF  JACKSON'S  FOOT  CAVALRY 


MILES 

June  29.     To  Winchester.     Frederick   Co.    .  .  18 

July      1.     To  Bunker  Hill.     Berkeley  Co.    ...  12 

July     2.     To     Falling  Waters 18 

July     3.     To  Potomac    River,    opposite    Wil- 

liamsport    5 

July     5.     Crossed   the   Potomac  and  marched 

east  of  Williamsport,  Md 1 

July     6.     Battle  of  Williamsport 1 

July     8.     To  Hagerstown    7 

July  9.  Marched  and  met  our  regiment,  and 
marched  back  through  Hagerstown,  with  the 

Second  Corps    7 

July  10.  Formed  line  of  battle  near  Hagers- 
town       1 

July  13.  The  Second  Corps  left  the  line  of 
battle  during  the  night  and  forded  the  Poto- 
mac above  Williamsport  the  morning  of  14th 

and  camped  in  Berkeley  Co.,  Va 14 

July   15.     To  Darksville    10 

July   16.     Back  to  and  beyond  Martinsburg  .  .  15 
July   17.     To  B.  &  O.  R.  R.,  where  we  went  to 

work  destroying  it   6 

July   18.     To  camp  near  B.  &  O.  R.  R 4 

July   19.     To  camp  on  the  Opequan 3 

July  20.     To  mill  on  Romney  Road 7 

July  21.    .To   Bunker  Hill    8 

July  22.     To  Winchester.     Frederick  Co.    ...  13 
July  23.     To  Manassas    Gap,    where    we    had 
some    brisk    skirmishing    with    the    enemy. 

Warren  Co 26 

July  24.     To  camp  on  Luray  Road.     Page  Co.  16 

July  25.     To  camp  near  Luray 15 


ONE  OF  JACKSON'S  FOOT  CAVALRY  331 

MILES 

July  27.     To  Sperryville,  Madison  Co.,  cross- 
ing the  Blue  Ridge  at  Thornton's  Gap 15 

July  28.     To  camp  on  road  side 13 

July  29.     To  Robinson  River    10 

July  31.     To  camp  beyond  Madison  C.  H.   .  .  6 

Aug.      1.     To  Montpelier.     Orange  Co 15 

Aug.   14.     To  Liberty  Mills.     Madison  Co.  .  .  4 

Aug.    16.     To  Montpelier.     Orange  Co 4 

Sept.     4.     To  Review  field  east  of  Orange  C. 

H.  and  back  agin  to  camp 12 

Sept.   19.     To  Morton's  Ford    16 

Sept.   25.     To  Willis  Ford   8 

Oct.     8.     To  Mt.  Pisgah  Church 20 

Oct.     9.     To  Madison  Co.  poorhouse       23 

Oct.    10.     To  camp    on    road    side.     Culpeper 

Co 17 

Oct.    11.     To  Culpeper  C.   H 10 

Oct.   12.     To  Warrenton   Springs.       Fauquier 

Co 20 

Oct.   13.     To  Warrenton    7 

Oct.   14.     To  near     Bristow     Station,     Prince 
William  Co.,  where  we  formed  line  of  battle 

on  O.  &  A.  R.  R 15 

Oct.    16.     To  Bristow  Station    4 

Oct.    18.     To  near  Bealton  Station.     Fauquier 

Co 20 

Oct.    19.     To  camp  in  Culpeper  Co 8 

Oct.  21.     To  camp  near  Brandy  Station   ....  4 
Oct.  26.     To  near  Bealton  Station.     Fauquier 

Co 8 

Oct.  28.     Back  to  camp  in  Culpeper  Co 8 

Nov.     7.     To  Kelly's  Ford  and  then  to  near 


332  ONE  OF  JACKSON'S  FOOT  CAVALRY 


1864. 


Nov. 

8. 

Nov. 

9- 

Nov. 

12. 

Nov. 

18. 

Nov. 

26. 

Nov. 

-/• 

MILES 

Culpeper  C.  H 18 

To  camp  in  Orange  Co 15 

To  Morton's   Ford    4 

To  Mt.   Pisgah  Church    8 

To  Willis  Ford   12 

To  Bartley  Mill 8 

To  Payne's  Farm,  where  we  fought 

the  battle   7 

Nov.   28.     To  Mine  Run,  and  formed  line  of 

battle  to  meet  Meade 3 

Dec.     2.     To  Morton's  Ford 5 

Dec.     3.     To  Raccoon  Ford  and  back  to  Mor- 
ton's Ford   5 

Dec.    19.     To  Orange  C.  H 14 

Dec.   22.     To  Mt.  Pisgah  Church   6 

Dec.  24.     To  Crenshaw's  farm  near  Alt.  Pis- 
gah   Church,    where    we    went    into    winter 

quarters    1 


5- 
10. 

27. 
o 


Jan. 
Jan. 
Jan. 
Feb. 
Mch.  2 
Mch.  3 
Roads 
Mch.  4 
Mch.      s 


Mch.  1 


To  Morton's  Ford   8 

To     camp,  Crenshaw  farm   8 

To  Morton's  Ford   8 

To  camp,  Crenshaw  farm 8 

To  Aline  Run    8 

To  Chancellorsville  and  back  to  X 

Spottsylvania  Co 16 

To  Chancellorsville 4 

To  camp,     Crenshaw     farm.     Or- 

1  Co 20 

7.     To  Morton's  Ford    10 

Apr.  26.     To     camp,  Crenshaw  farm   10 

May     2.     Broke     up    Winter     Quarters     and 


ONE  OF  JACKSON'S  FOOT  CAVALRY     333 

MILES 

marched  to  Hartley's  Mill 10 

May     4.     To  Locust  Grove 10 

May  5.  To  Wilderness,  where  we  fought 
the  battle.     Spottsylvania  Co 5 

May  7.  The  Second  Brigade  moved  to  the 
extreme  left  of  our  line  and  back  to  its  posi- 
tion on  Stone  Road 7 

May  8.  To  Spottsylvania  C.  H.  by  way  of 
Todd's  Tavern  and  the  mill,  and  formed  line 
of  battle 15 

May  19.  Marched  in  pursuit  of  the  enemy 
and  attacked  him,  and  returned  to  our  old  po- 
sition in  breastworks   10 

May  21.  The  enemy  having  left  the  front  of 
the  Second  Corps,  we  marched  to  Telegraph 
Road.     Caroline  Co 15 

May  22.  To  Hanover  Junction,  Hanover  Co., 
where  we  formed  line  of  battle  to  meet  Grant   12 

May  24.  Marched  to  left  of  our  line  of  battle 
and  then  to  the  right 6 

May  27.  The  enemy  having  left  the  front  of 
Second  Corps,  we  marched  to  Atlee's  Sta- 
tion, Central  R.  R.,  crossing  the  South  xAmna 
River  on  the  bridge  of  that  company 12 

May  28.  To  Pole  Green  Church,  where  we 
formed  line  of  battle  to  meet  Grant 16 

May  30.  We  marched  to  meet  the  enemy  and 
attacked  them  near  Bethesda  Church 4 

May  31.     Moved  to  the  right   2 

June      1.     Moved  to  Dickerson  house 2 

June  6.  Marched  after  the  enemy  and  re- 
turned     :.....     3 


334  ONE  OF  JACKSON'S  FOOT  CAVALRY 

MILES 

June     7.     Marched  after  the  enemy 3 

June  9.  Marched  to  right  and  rear  of  our 
line     2 

June  13.  The  Second  Corps  left  Lee's  line 
and  marched  around  Richmond  to  Three 
Chop  Road,  camping  near  Ground  Squirrel 

Bridge.     Louisa  Co 26 

June   14.     To  Gardner's  X  Roads    25 

June   15.     To  Mechanicsville.     Louisa  Co.    .  .    22 

June   16.     To  Keswick  Depot.     Albemarle  Co.    21 

June   17.     The  Second  Brigade  marched  north 

of    Keswick   Depot   and    took    the    cars    for 

Lynchburg.      On     reaching    Lynchburg    we 

marched    beyond    the     Fair     Grounds     and 

formed  line  of  battle.     Campbell  Co 5 

June   19.     To  Liberty.     Bedford   Co 24 


June  20 
June  21 
June  23 
June  24 


To  Buford's  Gap     15 

To  Salem.     Roanoke  Co 20 

To  near  Buchanan.     Botetourt  Co.    18 
To  camp    on    road    side    in    Rock- 
bridge    Co.,     marching    over    the     Natural 

Bridge    20 

June  25.  To  near  Fairfield,  marching  past 
the  grave  of  Stonewall  Jackson,  in  the  Ceme- 
tery at  Lexington 20 

June  26.     To  camp    on    road    side.     Augusta 

Co 19 

June  27.     To  near  Staunton    6 

June  28.     To  Mt.  Crawford.    Rockingham  Co.  20 

June  29.     To  Lacey's  Springs   16 

June  30.     To  Mt.   Jackson.     Shenandoah   Co.   17 
July     1.     To  camp  on  road  side 20 


ONE  OF  JACKSON'S  FOOT  CAVALRY     335 

MILES 

July     2.     To  Middletown  Mills.    Frederick  Co.  20 

July  3.  To  Martinsburg,  Berkeley  Co., 
where  we  captured  many  stores  from  the  en- 
emy        25 

July     4.     To  X  Roads   10 

July  5.  To  Antietam,  Washington  Co., 
Md.,  crossing  the  Potomac  at  Boteler's  Ford     12 

July     6.     Towards  Harper's  Ferry 4 

July  7.  Drove  the  enemy  into  his  fortifica- 
tions and  at  night  marched  to  Norristown  .  .      8 

July  8.  To  Middletown,  Md.,  Frederick 
Co.,  crossing  the  mountain  at  Fox  Gap  ....    10 

July  9.  To-  Monacacy  River,  where  we  had 
the  battle 15 

July  10.  To  camp  beyond  Clarksburg,  Mont- 
gomery Co.,  Md 20 

July  11.  To  Washington,  D.  C,  city,  where 
we  have  some  fighting 15 

July  12.  We  left  Washington  during  the 
night,  marched  to  Darnestown,  where  we 
stopped  about  noon,  and  rested  a  few  hours; 
marched  all  night  of  the  13th,  and  crossed 
the  Potomac  at  White's  Ford  and  camped 
near  Leesburg,  Loudoun  Co.,  Va.,  on  the  14th  40 

July  15.  2 1  st  Va.  Regt.  marched  into  Lees- 
burg and  took  charge  of  loose  horses.   .....      1 

July  16.  We  left  Leesburg  with  the  horses, 
marched  and  rode  horseback  to  Millwood, 
Clarke  Co.,  crossing  the  Blue  Ridge  at  Paris    35 

July  17.  Marched  and  rode  horseback  to 
Middletown,  Frederick  Co 20 

July   19.     Marched  to  Winchester  and  joined 


336  ONE  OF  JACKSON'S  FOOT  CAVALRY 

MILES 

our  brigade    12 

July  20.  To  Middletown  and  then  on  picket  18 
July  21.     To  Hupp's    Hill,    Shenandoah    Co., 

where  we  formed  line  of  battle 8 

July  24.     To  Kernstown,        Frederick        Co., 

where  we  had  the  battle,  pursuing  the  enemy 

beyond  Winchester.     Frederick  Co 20 

July  25.     To  Bunker  Hill.     Berkeley  Co.    ...    10 

July  26.     To  Martinsburg     12 

July  31.     To  Darksville     8 

Aug.  4.  To  Shepherdstown.  Jefferson  Co.  12 
Aug.     5.     To  Sharpsburg,    Md.,    crossing  the 

Potomac  at  Boteler's  Ford   8 

Aug.     6.     To  Falling   Waters,    Berkeley    Co., 

Va.,  crossing  the  Potomac  at  Williamsport .    20 

Aug.     7.     To  Darksville    15 

Aug.     9.     To  Bunker  Hill     6 

Aug.  10.  To  Woolen  Mills.  Frederick  Co.  11 
Aug.    11.     To   Newtown,  where  we  skirmished 

with  the  enemy 12 

Aug.    12.     To  Strasburg,     where    we    formed 

line  of  battle  and  then  marched  to  Fisher's 

Hill.     Shenandoah  Co 15 

Aug.    17.     To  Winchester,     encountering    the 

enemy  and  driving  them  beyond  the  town  .  .    20 

Aug.    19.     To  Bunker  Flill    15 

Aug.  21.     To   Charlestown,   where   we    found 

the  enemy  strongly  fortified 12 

Aug.  22.     The  enemy  left  our  front  during  the 

night  and  we  followed 6 

Aug.   23.     My  brigade  sent  on  picket 2 

Aug.  24.     My  brigade  made  a  reconnoissance     5 


ONE  OF  JACKSON'S  FOOT  CAVALRY     337 

MILES 

Aug.  25.     To    near     Shepherdstown,     driving 

the  enemy's  cavalry   15 

Aug.  26.     To  Leetown     8 

Aug.  27.     To  Bunker   Hill    13 

Aug.  29.  To  near  Smithfiejd,  driving  the  en- 
emy about  five  miles,  then  returned  to  Bun- 
ker Hill 18 

Sept.     2.     To  Charlestown  Pike  and  back  to 

Valley  Pike   15 

Sept.     3.     To  Winchester 8 

Sept.  7.  The  enemy  drove  in  our  pickets ;  we 
went  to  their  support  and  drove  the  enemy 

beyond  the  Opequan 8 

Sept.     9.     To  near  Brucetown    8 

Sept.  13.  The  enemy  drove  in  our  pickets;  we 
went  to  their  support  and  drove  the  enemy 

beyond  the  Opequan    5 

Sept.   14.     To  camp  on  side  road.     Frederick 

Co 5 

Sept.   17.     To  Bunker  Hill    5 

Sept.  18.  To  Martinsburg  and  back  to  Bun- 
ker Hill   24 

Sept.   19.     To  Winchester,  where  we  had  the 

battle    15 

Sept.  20.  To  Fisher's  Hill   22 

Sept.  23.     To  Mt.  Jackson    25 

Sept.  24     To  Tenth   Legion,   where   we   took 

the  road  to  Port  Republic 17 

Sept.  25.     To  Brown's   Gap    20 

Sept.  2"].     To  beyond  the  Shenandoah  River, 

then  back  and  to  Port  Republic 16 

Sept.  28.     To  Rockfish  Gap,  passing  through 


338  ONE  OF  JACKSON'S  FOOT  CAVALRY 

MILES 

New  Hope  and  Waynesboro,  driving  the  en- 
emy's cavalry  from  the  latter  place 20 

Oct.      1.     To  Mt.  Sidney   15 

Oct.  6.  To  camp  on  road  side.  Rocking- 
ham Co 15 

Oct.     7.     To  New  Market     20 

Oct.   12.     To  camp  near  Woodstock 12 

Oct.  13.  To  Cedar  Creek  and  back  to  Fish- 
er's Hill   17 

Oct.    17.     To  Hupp's  Hill  and  back  to  Fisher's 

Hill    8 

Oct.   19.     To  Cedar  Creek,  where  we  had  the 

battle,  and  back  to  Fisher's  Hill 15 

Oct.  20.     To  near  New  Market   25 

Nov.    10.     To  Woodstock    15 

Nov.   11.     To  Newtown     21 

Nov.   12.     To  Fisher's  Hill    11 

Nov.   13.     To  Woodstock    12 

Nov.   14.     To  New  Market   15 

Nov.  22.     To  Rude's  Hill  to  meet  the  enemy 

and  back    25 

Dec.  6.  Gordon's  division  marched  to 
Waynesboro,  reaching  there  on  the  7th, 
where  they  took  the  cars  for  Petersburg, 
where  they  were  in  all  the  marches  and  en- 
gagements of  the  Second  Corps  at  Petersburg 
and  on  the  retreat  to  Appomattox  C.  H. 

Marching  in  the  Following  Counties : 

VIRGINIA 

Albemarle,  Appomattox,  Bath, 

Amelia,  Augusta,  Bedford, 


ONE  OF  JACKSON'S  FOOT  CAVALRY     339 


Berkeley, 

Botetourt, 

Campbell, 

Caroline, 

Charles  City, 

Chesterfield, 

Clarke, 

Culpeper, 

Cumberland, 

Dinwiddie, 

Fairfax, 

Fauquier, 

Frederick, 

Green, 

Frederick, 


Goochland, 

Hampshire, 

Hanover, 

Henrico, 

Highland, 

Jefferson, 

Loudoun, 

Louisa, 

Madison, 

Morgan, 

Nelson, 

Orange, 

Page, 

Pendleton, 

MARYLAND 

Montgomery, 

and 
District  of  Columb 


Pocahontas, 

Prince  Edward, 

Prince  George, 

Prince  William, 

Rappahannock, 

Randolph, 

Roanoke, 

Rockbridge, 

Rockingham, 

Shenandoah, 

Spottsylvania, 

Stafford, 

Warren. 


Washington, 


1a. 


XXXVIII 


CONCLUSION 


It  is  stated  that  the  American  Civil  War  was  one  of 
the  bloodiest  of  which  we  have  any  authentic  record; 
the  carnage  on  both  sides  was  fearful.  On  the  Federal 
side:  4.142  officers  were  killed  in  battle;  2,223  died  of 
wounds;  248  met  death  by  accident.  Of  the  men  62,916 
were  killed  in  battle,  40,789  died  of  wounds,  8,810  met 
death  by  accident  (most  of  them  by  drowning).  The 
deaths  from  disease  were  2,712  officers  and  197,008  men. 
On  the  Confederate  side :  2,086  officers  were  killed  and 
1,246  died  of  wounds;  50,868  men  were  killed  and  20,324 
died  of  wounds.  The  war  lasted  about  four  years. 
The  Federal  army  had  enrolled  2,778,304  men,  and  the 
Confederates  600,000. 

Secretary  Stanton  made  a  report  to  Congress  in  which 
it  appears  that  of  all  the  prisoners  in  the  hands  of  the 
Confederates  during  the  four  years,  there  died  in  all 
Confederate  prisons  22,246;  while  of  the  Confederate 
prisoners  held  by  the  United  States  there  died  26,576. 
The  whole  number  of  prisoners  captured  and  held  by  the 
United  States  numbered  220,000,  while  the  number  held 
by  the  Confederate  States  numbered  270,000.  We  are 
accused  of  ill-treatment  of  prisoners,  starving,  etc. ;  these 
figures  tell  the  truth  as  to  that.  We  had  more  Federal 
prisoners  and  the  deaths  were  less  by  their  own  state- 
ment, and  that  statement  prepared  by  one  of  their  bit- 
terest partisans ! 

340 


ONE  OF  JACKSON'S  FOOT  CAVALRY     341 

Here  also  is  the  truth  about  the  exchange  of  prisoners, 
taken  from  a  letter  written  by  Gen.  Grant: 

"  City  Point,  Aug.  18,  1864. 
"  To  Gen  I  Butler: — 

"  On  the  subject  of  exchange,  however,  I  differ  from 
Gen.  Hitchcock.  It  is  hard  on  our  men  held  in  Southern 
prisons  not  to  exchange  them,  but  it  is  humanity  to  those 
left  in  the  ranks  to  fight  our  battles.  Every  man  released 
on  parole,  or  otherwise,  becomes  an  active  soldier  against 
us  at  once,  either  directly  or  indirectly.  If  we  commence 
a  system  of  exchange  which  liberates  all  prisoners  taken, 
we  will  have  to  fight  on  until  the  whole  South  is  extermin- 
ated. If  we  hold  those  caught,  they  amount  to  no  more 
than  dead  men.  At  this  particular  time,  to  release  all  Rebel 
prisoners  North  would  insure  Sherman's  defeat,  and  would 
compromise  our  safety  here." 

I  agree  with  Gen.  William  T.  Sherman,  who  said, 
"  War  is  Hell!  "  and  the  private  soldier  of  Lee's  army, 
who  did  not  see  it,  walked  very  close  to  the  burning  pit, 
and  caught  glimpses  of  the  fiery  furnace. 

In  closing,  I  would  like  to  add  my  little  meed  of  praise. 
Where  in  all  pages  of  history  can  you  find  greater  deeds 
of  heroism  than  those  exhibited  in  the  Southern  army? 

Here  is  what  Lt.-Gen.  Early  says  in  his  "  Memoirs  of 
the  Last  Year  of  the  War  for  Independence  in  the  Con- 
federate States  of  America" : 

"  I  believe  the  world  has  never  produced  a  body  of  men 
superior,  in  courage,  patrotism,  and  endurance,  to  the  pri- 
vate soldiers  of  the  Confederate  armies.  I  have  repeatedly 
seen  those  soldiers  submit  with  cheerfulness,  to  privations 
and  hardships  which  would  appear  to  be  almost  incredible ; 
and  the  wild  cheers  of  our  brave  men  (which  were  so  dif- 


342  ONE  OF  JACKSON'S  FOOT  CAVALRY 

ferent  from  the  studied  hurrahs  of  the  Yankees)  when  their 
lines  sent  back  the  opposing  host  of  Federal  troops,  stag- 
gering, reeling,  and  flying,  have  often  thrilled  every  fibre  in 
my  heart.  I  have  seen,  with  my  own  eyes,  ragged,  bare- 
footed, and  hungry  Confederate  soldiers  perform  deeds, 
which,  if  performed  in  days  of  yore,  by  mailed  warriors 
in  glittering  armor,  would  have  inspired  the  harp  of  the 
minstrel  and  the  pen  of  the  poet." 

"  A  King  once  said  of  a  Prince  struck  down, 
'  Taller  he  seems  in  death  ! ' 
And  this  speech  holds  truth,  for  now,  as  then, 
'Tis  after  death  that  we  measure  men ; 
And  as  mists  of  the  past  are  rolled  away, 
Our  heroes  who  died  in  their  tattered  gray 
Grow  '  taller  '  and  greater  in  all  their  parts ; 
Till  they  fill  our  minds,  as  they  fill  our  hearts ; 
And  for  those  who  lament  them  there's  this  relief, 
That  glory  sits  by  the  side  of  grief. 
Yes,  they  grow  '  taller  '  as  the  years  go  by, 
And  the  world  learns  how  they  could  do  and  die." 


/ - 


1865 


Opposite    page    342. 


INDEX 


INDEX 


Alabamian,    A    lone,    215. 
Amelia,    C.    H.,    282. 
Anderson,    Archer,    19,    30,    303. 
Anderson,     Henry     V.,     19,     30, 

us,  303. 

Anderson,   Joseph   H'.,    162,    225, 

303- 
Anderson,    Junius    H.,     19,    30, 

303- 

Anderson,    General,    100-250,251. 

Anderson,  Major;  Officer  of  the 
day  at  Spottsylvania  C.  H., 
May  11-12,   1864,  219. 

Archer,  William  S.,  19,  23,  30, 
162,    303. 

Arms,   Take !    236. 

April    3,    1865,    286. 

Artillery  Men,  charge  the  enemy 
on    their    lead    horses,    87. 

Artillery,  one  piece  of  the  ene- 
mies hurry  Early's  wagon 
train,   263. 

Ashby,  General  Turner,  59,  66, 
71,    72,    91,    95. 

Ashby's,  General ;  Horse  at  the 
bridge   at   Mt.   Jackson,   91. 

Aquia    Creek,    16,   25. 

Averill,   General,   244. 

Ayers,   Edward   W.,   19,  20,  303. 

"B."  Company,  Flag  presenta- 
tion, 36,  83. 

Baltimore  &  Ohio  Rail  Road, 
Tearing  it  up,    149,  248. 

Banks,    General,   88. 

Barker,  William  C,  19,  23,  30, 
303- 


Baskerville,    Commissary    H.  E. 

C,   36. 
Barber,    N.,    162,    303. 
Bates,    Edward,    163,    303. 
Bates,    W.,    162,    282,    303. 
Bath    Alum    Springs,    Camp    at, 

Si- 
Bath,    Battle    of,    57. 
Baughman,    Charles    C,    19,    30, 

303- 
Baughman,    George    C,    19,    33, 

3»3- 
Baughman,  Greer  H.,  19,  30,  304. 
Beers,  Henry  H.,  19,  23,  30,  304. 
Bethesda  Church,  Battle  of,  224. 
Berkeley,    Lieut.    Colonel,     163. 
Bible,    The,    27,    28. 
Binford,   James    M.,    19,    23,    30, 

304- 
Binford,   Robert    E.,    19,   23,    30, 

304- 
Bloody    Angle,    183. 
Blunt,    Ira   W.,    19,   30,   304. 
Booker,     Lieutenant     John     A., 

147. 

Boonsboro,    139. 
Bowe,   H.   C,    162,  304. 
Boyd,   James    N.,    304. 
Breckenbridge,       General,       234, 

241. 
Bridge   of   wagons,   81,   92. 
Bridges,    Jr.,    David    B.,    19,    30, 

304- 
Bridges,  Richard  M.,   19,  23,  30, 

304- 
Broad    Run,    183. 
Brock,  R.  Alonzo,  19,  30,  304. 


345 


346 


INDEX 


Brown,   A.    D.,    162,   282,    304. 
Brown,  A.   H.,   162,  304. 
Brown,    George    W.,     162,    206, 

304. 

Brown,  Henry,   162,  304. 
Brown,   James    R.,    162,   304. 
Buford,    General,    173. 
Bullington,    Henry    N.,    19,    23, 

30.   304. 
Burnsicle,   General,    151. 
Buttons,    Brass    buttons    cut    off 

Confederate    uniforms,    293. 

Cabell,   J.    Caskie,    19,   305. 

Callis,   G,    162,  303. 

Canby,    General,    289. 

Cannon,  Hurrah !  they  are  ours, 
202. 

Cars  and  Locomotives,  Cap- 
tured and  saved  at  Mar- 
tinsburg,    65. 

Campbell,   Colonel,  86. 

Cary,  Captain  R.  Milton,  19,  23, 
26,  27,  301. 

Cedar    Creek,    Battle    of,    275. 

Cedar   Run,    Battle    of,    108. 

Chamberlayne,   J.   Hampden,    19, 

23,  33,  305- 
Chancellorsville,  Battle  of,   173. 
Chantilly,    Battle    of,    136. 
Chapman,   Isaac  W.,    19,   23,  30, 

305- 
Charleston,     Skirmish    at,    250. 
Cheering,   No,    165. 
Child,  Jesse,   19,  23,  26,  30,  305. 
Clarke,   Maxwell   T.,    19,   23,   30, 

305- 
Clopton,  Dr.  John,   19,  33,  305. 
Close  Up,    157. 

Cocke,  Lorenzo  G,   19,   30,  306. 
Cold    Harbor,    Battle    of,    225. 
Cole,  Addison  C,  19,  23,  30,  306. 
Cocks,     Game,     carried     in    the 

army,  75. 


Coleman,  N.,  162,  306. 
Coleman,    Surgeon   R.    L.,   36. 
Color  Bearer,   One   arm,   179. 
Colors    of    the    21st    Va.    Regt. 

284. 
Communications,       Attack        on 

Grant     in     the     Wilderness, 

205. 
Conclusion,    341. 

Congress,  Confederate  States,  70. 
Confederate  Soldier,  His  poverty, 

276. 
Conrad's  Mill,   Skirmish  at,  44. 
Coolest   thing   of  the   war,   217. 
Cooks,  Negro,  199. 
Cooks,   Negro,  in  battle,   197. 
Couch,  L.  M.,  162,  206,  277,  306. 
Cowardin,  John  L.,   19,  306. 
Craig,  John  A.,   19,  30,  306. 
Crenshaw,  Lieutenant  James  R., 

26,   301. 
Crook,  General,  244,  265. 
Cross    Keys,    Battle   of,    91. 
Cumbia,  W.  S.,  162,  306. 
Cumbia,    W.    E.,    163,  212,   306. 
Cunningham,  Surgeon  Frank  B., 

21,    317- 
Cunningham,  Lieut.   Richard  H., 

19,   26. 
Cunningham',  Captain  and  Colo- 
nel, 30,  75,  78,  94,   100,   112, 
113,  301. 

Dabney,  Major  says  about  the 
Second  Brigade  in  the  bat- 
tle of  Cedar  Run,  116. 

Dabney,  Virginius,  Sergeant 
Major,  36. 

Danforth,  Henry  D.,  19,  23,  30, 
306. 

Daniel,    General,    226. 

Davis  Brigade,  213. 

Davis,  President  Jefferson,  36, 
99,  100. 


INDEX 


347 


Dill  Jr.,  Adolph,   19,  30,  306. 
Dillard,  R.  H.,  162,  306. 
Divers,  W.   H.,   i62f,  249,  306. 
Doggett,  Francis  W.,  19,  30,  306. 
Doles  Brigade,  211,  226. 
Dowdy,    Nathaniel   A.,    162,   206, 

265,  282,  306. 
Dungan,  Colonel,  246. 
Dunker  or  Tnnker  Church,   143, 

146,    147,    248. 

Early,  General,  146,  225,  234, 
242,  251,  258,  279. 

Early,  Breckenbridge  and  Gor- 
don,   Generals,  260. 

Earlys,  Tribute  to  the  Confed- 
erate Soldier,  342. 

Edmunds,    W.    B.,   220,  307. 

Elk  Mountain,  47. 

Ellett,  Thomas,  19,  23,  26,  30, 
158  302. 

Ellett,  Robert,  19,  23,  31,  307. 

Ellerson,  Jock  H.,  19,  23,  33, 
307. 

English,  J.  C,  265,  307. 

Etting,  Samuel  M.,  19,  23,  33, 
307. 

Equipment  of  the  army  in  the 
beginning  of  the  war,    106. 

Evans   Brigade,   223. 

Evans,  Randall,  The  colored 
cook  of  Winchester,  63. 

Evacuation    of    Richmond,    285. 

Ewell,  General  Richard  S.,  81, 
82,  90,  no,  119,  126,  174, 
176,  200,  225. 

Exall,  Charles  H.,  19,  23,  31,  307. 

Exall,  William,  19,  23,  31,  57, 
307. 

Execution  of  three  Confederate 
soldiers,  191. 

F.    Company,    13,  25,  27,  37,  38, 
39-  57,   114.   145- 
Battles,  318. 


Canteens,    14. 
Casualties,  317. 
Knapsacks,    14. 
Marches,  321. 

F.   Company,  Muster  Roll,  28. 
Mustered    into   service,   28. 
Ordered    to    Richmond    to    re- 
cruit,   161. 
Promotions,  317. 
Spends  the   day  in   Richmond, 

July  12,  1862;  105. 
Surrendered     at     Appomattox 

C.   H.,  Who,  319. 
The  best  fight  of  the  war,  173. 
Transferred     to     other     com- 
mands, 317. 
Uniform,  13. 
Zouave  Drill,  25. 
Field,   William   G.,   19,  307. 
Fifth  Va.   Regt.   Inft,  68. 
Fiftieth  Va.  Regt.  Inft.,  155. 
Fight,  I  did  not  want  to,  in. 
Fisher's   Gap,   150. 
Fishers    Hill,   Battle   of,   264. 
Fist  Fight,  Yankee  and  Confed- 
erate at  the;  Wilderness,  203. 
Floyd,   Geo.   J.,   162,  307. 
Ford  the   river  at   Front   Royal. 

They  did  not  see  us,  207. 
Fontaine,  R.  Morris,  19,  31,  307. 
Fort  Steadman,  Battle  of,  282. 
Forty-eighth,  Regt.  Va.  Inft.,  55. 
Forty-second,  Va.  Regt.  Inft.,  55. 
Forward,  200. 

Forward,  Double  Quick !  170. 
Forty-fourth,  Va.  Regt.  of  Inft., 

155- 
Fourth   of  July,    Picnic,   233. 
Fox,  Henry  C,  162,  241,  282,  307. 
Families  leaving  their  homes,  54, 

55- 
Franklin  Pendleton  Co.,  Va.,  80. 
Frederick  City,  138. 


348 


INDEX 


Fredericksburg,     16,     Battle     of, 

149. 
Freemont,   General,  89,  90,  93. 
Front  Royal,  Battle  of,  82. 

Game    Point,    Camp,   22. 
Garnett,  Colonel,  40. 
Gentry,   John   W.,   19,   31,  307. 
Gentry,   M.  G.,   162,  307. 
Georgian,  The  littler,   171. 
Gettysburg,  Battle  of,  173. 
Gibson,  William  T.,  19,  31,  308. 
Gilham,  Colonel  William,  36,  45, 

55,   60. 
Gilliam,   Robert  H.,    19,   31,   115, 

308. 
Gordon,    General    John    B.,    214, 

215,  223,   228,   236,  241,  256. 
Gordon    fought    his    corps    to    a 

frazzel,  283. 
Gordon,     Ramsuer     and     Rodes, 

Division  leave  General  Early 

for    Petersburg,   278. 
Gouldman,  E.,  162,  308. 
Grant,  General,  199,  200,  205,  224. 
Gray,   W.    Granville,    19,  23,   31, 

52,  56,  75,  306. 
Gray,   Somerville,   19,  31,  306. 
Green,  John  W.,   19,  31,  308. 
Green,  Thomas   R.,   19,  308. 
Gregg,  General,  killed,  154. 
Griffin,   J.,   162,  308. 
Grigsby,    Colonel,   86,    144,    147. 
Guerrillas   of  the   21st.,    145. 
Guns !     Halt,  load  your,  200. 
Gunboats  at  Aquia  Creek,  24. 

Halltown,  Skirmishing  at,  250. 
Hampton,  General,  229. 
Hancock,  General,  211. 
Hanover  Junction,  Battle  of,  222. 
Hamilton's    Crossing,    Battle   of, 

I52; 

Harper's   Ferry    Captured,    140. 


Harrison,    Thomas    R.,    19,    23, 

308. 
Harvie,   William  O.,    19,   308. 
Hawkins,  L.  A.,  162,  308. 
Hatchers  Run,   Battle  of,  280. 
Haynes,  Geo.  A.,  20,  23,  31,  309. 
Hays,    General,   226. 
"Hell   broke   loose   now,"    259. 
"Hell   Spot,"   113. 
Here  they  come,   129,  131. 
Henry,  Dr.   Patrick,  20,  31,  309. 
Hill,  General  A.  P.,  98,  102,  108, 

127,  131,  143,  147,  148,  182. 
Hill,   General   D.   H.,  99. 
Hobson,  Deane,  20,   23,   S2,  3°9- 
Hostilities,   The    commencement, 

13. 
Houston,    George    W.,    162,   265, 

309- 
Howitzers,    Richmond,    15,   211. 
Hudgens,    Malcolm    L.,    20,    31, 

145,  162,  277,  309. 
Hull,  Irving,  20,  309. 
Hunter,  General,  229. 
"Hurry   up,    Boys,"    238. 

"It  is   Longstreet,"    130. 
Irish   Battalion,  55,   155. 

Jackson's  Division  takes  a  bath, 

104.^ 
Jackson"s    Division    captured    at 

Spottsylvania  C.   H.,  213. 
Jackson,    Stonewall,    53,    54,    57, 

59,  63,  66,  68,  74,  76,  82,  86, 

95,  112,  123,  147,  152. 
Jackson  Lieut.  General,  164. 
Jenkins,   William   S.,   20,   309. 
Johnson,   Captain  of  the  50th,   a 

gallant  deed,   188. 
Johnson,     Colonel     Bradley     T., 

122,   128,   139,   186. 
Johnson,    General    Edward,    77, 

174,  226. 


INDEX 


349 


Johnston,  J.  W.,  162,  309. 
Johnston,  General  R.  D.,  226. 
Jones,  David  B.,  20,  23,  31,  3°9- 
Jones,  General  J.  M.,  174,  206. 
Jones,  General  J.  R.,  155. 
Jones,  Jr.,  Phillip  B.,  20,  31,  309- 
Jordan,    Reuben   J.,   20,    31,    145, 

162',    225,    280,   281,   301. 
Julip,    Second    Corps   treated    to 

brandy,  230. 

Kayton,  P.  W.,  162,  309. 
Kelley,  Major  A.  D.,  163,  309. 
Kellogg,  Timothy  H.,  20,  31,  36, 

309- 

Kernstown,   Battle  of,  66. 
Kernstown,    Second    Battle    of, 

245- 
Kershaw,  General,  275. 
Kidd,  J.  A.,  162,  282,  309. 
King,  Shirley,  19,  23,  26,  30,  303. 

Lee,  General  R.  E.,  42,  45,  99, 
100,  147,  164,  176,  180,  214, 
299. 

Lee,  Gen.  R.  E.,  His  wife  and 
daughters  knitting  socks  for 
the  men   of   his   army,  298. 

Lee,  Gen.  R.  E.,  Shaking  hands 
with  an  old  private,  300. 

Lee,  General  R.  E.,  "To  the 
Rear,"  214. 

Lee  Camp,  28. 

Lee,   General  Fitz,  257. 

Leetown,  Skirmishing  with  the 
enemy's   cavalry   at,   251. 

Legg,  A.  C,  163,  206,  309. 

Lewis,  Assistant  Surgeon,  Rich- 
mond, 36. 

Lindsay,  Roswell  S.,  20,  23,  31, 
113,   3io. 

Longstreet,  General,  98,  102,  131. 

Lorentz  — — ,  20,  310. 

Loring,  General,  41,  43,  44. 


Lynchburg,    Battle    of,    227. 
Lyon,  Assistant  Surgeon,  Peter, 
21,  317- 

McCausland,   General,   230. 
McClellan,  General,  97,  102',  144. 
McDowell,    Battle   of,   77. 
McDowell,    General,   89,   97. 
McEvoy,  Charles  A.,  20,  33,  310. 
McLaws,    General,    146. 
Macmurdo,    Richard    C,    20,    31, 

310. 
Maddox,    R.    G.,    20,   310. 
Magruder,  General,  102. 
Mail  for  the  soldiers,  158. 
Malvern  Hill,  Battle  of,   103. 
Man    sleeping   on    Post,   42. 
Manassas,   Battle   of,  40. 
Manassas,   Second  Battle  of,  118. 
Manassas  Second,  The  first  shot, 

122. 
Manassas   Junction,    Capture   of, 

and  the  great  time  Jackson's 

Corps    had    their,    119,    120, 

121. 
Mason,  J.  M.,   162,  277,  310. 
Martinsburg,   Captured,   231. 
Maryland,   Campaign,    136. 
Mayo,    Edward,    19,    23,    26,    30, 

46,  52,  302. 
Mayo,  Joseph  E.,  20,  31,  51,  310. 
Meade  Everard  B.,  20,  31,  310. 
Mebane,  J.  A.,  20,  23,  31,  310. 
Medicine   for  the   soldiers,    160. 
Mercer,  Camp,  18. 
Meredith,  John  F.,  20,  33,  310. 
Merriman,  J.  T.,  162,  310. 
Middle  Mountain,  45. 
Milboro,    Camp,    52. 
Miller,  Henry  T.,  19,  26,  30,  52, 

56,  302. 
Middletown,  Battle  of,  83. 
Mitchell,   Samuel   D.,  20,  23,  31, 

310. 


35o 


INDEX 


Mittledorfer,  Charles,  20,  31,  310. 

Montpelier,    Camp,    176. 

Mine  Run,  Battle  of,  186. 

Monocacy,  Battle  of,  235. 

Morgan,  Captain  William  H.,  36, 
75,   in,  301. 

Morris  Farm,  Camp,   105,   107. 

Morris,  Walter  H.  P.,  20,  31, 
310. 

Moseley,  Major  John  B.,  75,  163. 

Moseley,  Lieutenant  Colonel 
William  P.,   163. 

Moss  Neck,  Camp,  Winter  Quar- 
ters, 1863-64,   155. 

Mountcastle,  John  R.,  20,  23,  31. 
310. 

Munt,    Henry   F.,    162,    310. 

Nance,  J.  L.,  162,  311. 
Needle  Case,  The,  27. 
"No    whar   was    safe,"    173. 
Norwood,    Jr.,    William,   20,    31, 

311. 
Nunnally,  Joseph  N,  20,  23,  31, 

70,   us,  3ii- 

"Old  Jack"  flanked  his  own  men, 
74- 

Pace,  George  R.,  20,  23,  26,  30, 

311- 

Pace,  Theodore  A.,  20,  32,  311. 
Page,  Captain,  145,  147. 
Page,  Mann,  20,  31,  246,  311. 
Pardigon,   C.  F.,  20,  311. 
Patton,  Colonel  John  M.,  36,  67, 

75,   86,    163. 
Pawnee,  The  gunboat,  15,  16,  24. 
Paynes    Farm,    Battle   of,    186. 
Payne,  James  B.,  20,  31,  56,  58, 

3ii- 

Pegram,  William  A.,  20,  31,  162, 

170,    172,   301. 
Pegram,   William    R.    J.,   20,   21, 

311. 


Peaster,  Henry,  20,  32,  311. 

Pegram,  General  John,  226. 

Pelham,   Major,   153. 

Pendleton,  Colonel  A.  S.,  Ad- 
jutant General,  Second 
Corps,  264. 

Peterkin,  George  W.,  20,  23,  32, 
75,  312. 

Picket  Duty,  22,  45,  46,  48,   154. 

Picot,  Henry  V.,  20,  31,  70,  312. 

Piet,  William  A.,  20,  23,  14,  312. 

Pilcher,   Samuel  F.,  21,  312. 

Pizzini,  John  A.,  19,  23,  26,  30, 
302. 

Pole  Green  Church,  98. 

Pollard,  William  G.,  20,  32,  115, 
312. 

Pope,  General,  108,  117. 

Port    Republic,    Battle    of,    92. 

Potomac  River,  Crossing  first 
time,  137. 

Powell,  John  G.,  2*0,  31,  115,  312. 

Powell,   John   W.,  20,  23,   312. 

Price,  Channing  R.,  20,  312. 

Prayer  in  Camp,  22. 

President  and  Vice-President  of 
Confederates  States  Elec- 
tion, 48. 

Prisoners,  The  Exchange  of,  342. 

Punishment  of  soldiers,  21. 

Purcell   Battery,   21,   24. 

Ramsuer,    General,   225,    258. 
Randolph,  J.  Tucker,  20,  26,  30, 

69,  224,  312. 
Randolph,   M.  Lewis,  20,  26,  33, 

312. 
Rawlings  Edward  G.,  19,  23,  26, 

30,   75,   132,  302-. 
Rations   for  the   soldiers,    195. 
Redd,    Clarance    M.,   20,   23,    32, 

US,  313- 
Reeve,    David   I.   B.,   20,   23,  32, 

313- 


INDEX 


351 


Reeve,  John  J.,  20,  23,  32,  313 
Religious     Revival,     The     great 

181. 
Reconnoitering  by  Gen.  J.  E.  B 

Stuart  at  Cedar  Run,  116. 
Reorganization  of  the  army,  74 
Rennie,    G.    Hutchinson,    20,    32 

282,   313. 
Retreat,    The,    from    Petersburg 

282. 
Retreating  and  Advancing  at  the 

same  time,  76. 
Returning  home,  292. 
Review    of    the    Second    Corps, 

179. 
Richeson,  P.  S.,  162,  220,  313. 
Richeson,   William   R.,    162,   281, 

313- 

Richmond  Light  Infantry  Blues, 

16. 
Richmond,   Getting   out   of,    152. 
Rison,  John  W.,  20,  313. 
Rockbridge   Battery,  67,  86. 
Robertson,    William    S.,    20,    32, 

3*3- 
Robinson,  Christopher  A.,  20,  32, 

313- 
Robinson,  Richard  F.,  20,  32,  313. 
Robinson,   Edward  T.,  26,   302. 
Rodes,  General,  217,  242,  258. 
Rosser,  General,  275. 
Route  Step,  On  a  March,  158. 
Rudes  Hill,  66,  72. 
Rutledge,  William,  162,  313. 

Sailor's   Creek,  Battle  of,  283. 
Savage   Station,   Battle   of,   102. 
Searles,   S.,   162,   313. 
Seay,   M.,   163,   313. 
Seay,  W.   C,   163,  220,  314. 
Second  Army  Corps,  280. 
Second    Army    Corps,    The    Re- 
turns,  Aug.,   1864,  259. 


Second  Brigade,  Jackson's  Divi- 
sion, 55,  99,  no,  113,  122, 
144,  200,  237. 

Second  Regt.   Va.  Inft,  89. 

Seven   Days,    Campaign,   97. 

Sharpsburg,  Battle  of,  130,  144. 

Shebang,  How  to  make,  150. 

Sheets,    Captain,   83. 

Shipps,  Major  Scott,  36,  55. 

Shields,   General,  89,  90,  91,  92, 

93- 

Shoes,   Soldiers  without,  151. 
Simpson,   F.  J.,   163,  314. 
Singleton,    A.    Jackson,    20,    32, 

314. 
Signal    for    troops    to    meet    in 

Richmond  at  commencement 

of   war,    14. 
Sizer,  Milton  D.,  20,  32,  314. 
Skinker,   Charles  R.,  20,  32,  70, 

314. 
Sheridan's  Raid,  220. 
Sheridan's   Fight  at  Trevillian's 

Depot,  228. 
Sheridan,    General,   256,   265. 
Smith,    Edward   H.,    20,   23,    32, 

314- 
Smith,   Henry,    163,  206,   314. 
Smith,   J.   T.,    163,   314. 
Smith,   Thomas,   163,   314. 
Snow   and   hail,   59,   60,   61,   62. 
Soap,   Making   in   camp,   176. 
Soles,   Peter  D.,   163,  314. 
Spottsylvania    C.    H.,   Battle   of, 

206. 
Starke,  General,  130,   134,   144. 
Stark's    Louisiana    Brigade,    117, 

130,  134,  144. 
Stafford,   General,   108,  206,  226. 
Stonewall    Brigade,    86,    89,    90, 

99,    114,   144,  211. 
Stewart,  General  George  H.,  210, 

220. 
Strasburg,  71,  89. 


352 


INDEX 


Streams   crossed  on   the   ice,   61. 
Strongest  point  I  saw  during  the 

war,   ioo. 
Stuart,  General  J.  E.  B.,  98,  116, 

146. 
Sublett,  Peter  A.,  20,  32,  314. 
Surrender,  The,  of  Lee's  Army, 

290. 

Tabb,  Robert  M.,  20,  32,  277,314. 
Talley,  Daniel  D.,  20,  23,  32,  315. 
Taliaferro,  General,   126. 
Tatum,  A.  Randolph,  20,  23,  32, 

315- 
Tatum,   Vivian    H.,   2*0,   32,   315. 
Taylor,  General  Richard,  81,  86. 
Taylor,    Charles    E.,    20,    32,    70, 

315- 
Taylor  Clarence  E.,  20,  32,  115, 

"  315. 
Taylor,    Edward    B.,    20,   32,    70, 

315- 
Taylor,    Robert    T.,    20,    23,    32, 

315. 

Terry,     General     William,     223, 

258. 
Terry's   Brigade,  223,   258. 
Tiney,  W.  C,  162,  172,  315. 
Thrilling   Scene,  252. 
Third  Brigade,  Jackson  Divison, 

99,  114,  144,  201. 
Tompkins,  Edward  G.,  20,  23,  32", 

115,  315. 
Trainum,   Charles,    163,  315. 
Trees,  shot  to  pieces  by  musket 

balls,  216. 
Trimble,   General,  92,  94,    155. 
Twenty-fifth    Va.   Reg.    of    Inft, 

176,  205. 
Twenty-first   Va.    Reg.    of   Inft., 

36,    37,    38,    55.    66,    78,    88, 

114,    181,  200,  201,  202,  209, 

260. 
Tyler,  James  E.,  20,  32,  315. 


Tyler,  John,  19,  23,  26,  30,  302. 
Tyler,  R.  Emmctt,  20,  23,  32,  315. 
Tyree,  William  C,  163,  277,  316. 

Umbrella  man,  The,  75. 
U.  S.  branded  on  nearly  all  our 
horses    and   mules,    106. 

Valley  Campaign,  82. 

Valley   of   Virginia,    53. 

Valley     of     Virginia,     made     a 

wilderness   by   Sheridan,  278, 

279. 
Valley  Mountain,  44. 
VanBuren,   Benjamin  B.,  20,  32, 

316. 
Virginia         Military        Institute 

burned,   231. 
Virginia    Penitentiary,   fire,  July 

1,   1861,  35. 

Wagon  trains,  captured  of  en- 
emy, 84. 

Waldrop,  Richard  W.,  20,  32, 
316. 

Walker,   General,  218,  220,  226. 

Walker,    T.,    162,    172,    316. 

Wallace,   General,   241. 

Wallace,   R.   H.,    163,   316. 

Wash,  Major  Meret  C,  7th  In- 
diana  Inft.,   201. 

Washington,  D.  C,  Battle  of, 
242. 

War   is   Hell,   342. 

Watkins,  Aurelius  S.,  20,  32, 
316. 

Watkins,  H.  Harrison,  20,  23, 
32,   115,316. 

Welford,  Lieutenant  Phillip  A., 
19,  2*3,  26,  30,  52,  302. 

White  Oak  Swamp,  Battle  of, 
103. 

White,  Robert  C,  20,  23,  32,316. 

Whiting,    General,   97. 


INDEX 


353 


Wilkins,   J.   M.,   163,   316. 
Williamsport,   Battle  of,   166. 
Willis,  Joseph  N.,  20,  32,  316. 
Wilton,    Our  first   march  of  the 

war,    15. 
Widows  and  orphans  of  soldiers, 

184. 
Winder,  General,  115. 
Winchester,  64,  86,    174,  249. 
Winchester,    Battle   of,   256. 
Winchester,      Battle      of,      what 

brought   it   on,   265. 
Wise,   Governor  H.   A.,   26. 
Winter   Campaign,   57. 
Winter  quarters,   1863-4,   x&4. 
Witcher,    Colonel    W.    A.,    163, 

220. 
Woman's     apparel     in     captured 

Yankee   wagons,   84. 
Women   of  the    South,   296. 
Woods     on     fire,     our     march 

through,  208. 
Wood,  S.  E.,  163,  316. 
Worsham,  John   H.,  21,  32,   145, 

162,   254,   316. 


Worsham,  Thomas  R.,  21,  32, 
316. 

Wren,  J.  Porter,  21,  23,  32,  115, 
162,  240,  317. 

Wright,  General,  211. 

Wright,  Miss  Rebecca,  The  Yan- 
kee Spy,  265. 

Wright,    Phillip   B.,  21,   317. 

Wyndham,  Sir  Percy,  The 
"English"    Yankee,    95. 

Yankee,  First  to  arrive  in  Rich- 
mond, 287. 

The  first  flag  hoisted  in  Rich- 
mond,  287. 

One    of    them    knocked    down 
with  flagstaff,    113. 

Nearest     point     they     got     to 
Richmond,    221. 

Prisoners,   88,   94,   96. 
An  amusing  scene,  89. 
York,  General,  223,  258. 

Zimmer,  Lewis,  21,  23,  317. 


